Overview
In high‑stakes governance environments, minutes are more than a record - they are a strategic asset. High‑quality minutes protect the organisation, guide future decision‑making, and demonstrate good governance under scrutiny. Yet minute takers often face challenges: fast‑paced discussions, sensitive subjects, complex technical content, conflicting expectations, and increasing regulatory demands.
This course gives you the confidence, techniques, and tools - including the role of AI - to produce clear, accurate and resilient minutes that stand up to retrospective scrutiny.
What you'll learn
This one‑day advanced course is designed for individuals with experience in minute-taking who want to enhance the clarity, value and strategic impact of their minutes. Through practical exercises, expert guidance and peer discussion, participants learn how to capture high‑quality minutes in complex, sensitive, and pressurised environments, while working effectively with key stakeholders and leveraging technology to streamline the process.
The course strengthens each delegate’s ability to:
- Produce accurate, robust and strategically useful minutes
- Navigate sensitive, contentious or complex discussions with confidence
- Understand what level of detail is appropriate in different governance settings
- Collaborate effectively with Chairs, executives and other stakeholders
- Apply ethical judgment, discretion and professionalism
- Use AI and other technologies appropriately within the minute‑taking process
Who is it for?
This course is ideal for:
- Governance professionals
- Company secretaries and board support staff
- Minute takers working with boards, committees and technical groups
- Anyone who wants to improve minute quality in high‑pressure scenarios
- Anyone who has attended the Effective Minute Taking course
How much does it cost?
Course costs (ex VAT)
Non-member - £755
Professional subscriber - £680
Member - £605
*A discount is available for registered charities, please email training@cgi.org.uk
For any related enquiries please contact us at training@cgi.org.uk, or call us at +44 (0)20 7580 4741
Download the course brochure
To get your own copy of the full course brochure, enter your details below. Once submitted, scroll back down to this section of the page to see the download link:
Participant Profile
- How do I take minutes for highly technical meetings where I don’t understand the subject matter?
- What is the appropriate level of details for minutes in different governance settings?
- How do I take minutes where the discussion is contentious/sensitive?
- How can I address differences in opinions or expectations about what should be included in the minutes?
- Will AI replace the role of the minute-taker?
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:
- Apply approaches to taking high-quality, technical minutes that stand the test of time.
- Understand the complexities of minute taking in sensitive and challenging situations.
- Apply the appropriate level of detail required for various governance scenarios.
- Work effectively with the chair and other key stakeholders to increase the strategic value of your minutes.
- Understand the benefits and drawbacks of using different technologies and AI tools to support your minute taking.
You will also receive:
- A delegate pack containing comprehensive course notes and presentation slides
- A certificate to show you have attended the course
- 6 hours credit towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- 6 months complimentary professional subscription worth £84.00 of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. This includes a subscription to G+C Magazine as well as access to briefings, discounts and our knowledge base.
People who take this course often go on to book:
Useful CGI Resources:
A wealth of further information and guidance on governance practices and minute taking can be found in our Resources.
Competency framework
This course aligns to CGI’s competency framework: Emerging/Experienced
Use the competency framework to identify your strengths and areas for improvement in governance.
Programme
- The principles of taking good minutes
- The role of the governance professional
- Related ethics, responsibilities, and expectations
- Expert led peer-to-peer workshop on key issues
- A fit-for-purpose review process
- Expectations vs reality
- Building stakeholder relationships
- Gauging the right level of detail
- Regulatory and/or public scrutiny
- Using a Secretary's note
- Emotional intelligence
- Interventions and ethical dilemmas
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Urgent response (crisis management)
- Sensitivity and use of phraseology
- Setting KPIs for minutes
- Pre-meeting preparation
- Chair summaries / bullet points
- Auditors
- Approved use of AI
- Helpful tools