Training Course

Effective Minute Taking

Overview

Taking minutes can be hard. Vague agendas. Ambiguous agreements. An unskilled chairperson. All these can all make the taking of an accurate record a daunting task.

Or perhaps you have not yet been taught the right way to do it?

This practical and interactive one-day Effective Minute Taking training course provides a toolkit of skills which will boost your confidence in the writing and presenting of accurate minutes – and help you deal with the other issues above.

Course Cost (excluding VAT)
Non-Member - £550
Professional Subscriber - £495
Member - £440

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

Participant Profile

  1. Are you looking to become a more effective notetaker?

  2. Do you want to learn how to avoid taking down too much information while still capturing all the key points?

  3. Are you interested in ensuring your final written minutes are readable and of the right length?

  4. Do you want to increase your personal confidence in the minute-taking role?

This training course is relevant to all sectors, including listed and private companies, charities, public sector, and NHS.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the day, you will understand:

  1. Why are minutes kept and the issues that can occur
  2. How to take accurate minutes, and deal with those issues
  3. Techniques for effective communication, relationship building and dealing with discord
  4. Essential communication skills.

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 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.
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Testimonials

"The trainer was very engaging and the group activities enabled us to get a better understanding of effective minute taking and put a framework in place. I came away with the knowledge and confidence to effectively be the minute taker for future meetings"

★★★★★

"The trainers style was easy to follow and concepts easy to understand. He was able to convey his depth of knowledge into a guide to assist anyone's improvement in this area."

★★★★★

"The training session was informative, comprehensive and had lots of tools to help aid my learning in my governance role."

★★★★★

"I thoroughly enjoyed the training. It was very informative taking into account emerging trends in effective minute taking. Looking forward to applying the lessons learn to my assignments."

★★★★★

"The trainer was excellent.  He had a wonderful and patient temperament and was extremely knowledgeable. I learnt so many new techniques despite taking minutes for over 15 years and the trainer proved to be a positive enabler. Would strongly reccommend this course"

★★★★★

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: Entry/Emerging
Use the competency framework to identify your strengths and areas for improvement in governance.

Programme

Please expand the dropdown to see the course programme timetable and highlights
  • Creating a 'notemaker friendly' agenda
  • Friend or foe?
  • Applying effective note-taking techniques
  • Important post-meeting activities
  • Re-structuring notes when creating minutes for longer agenda items
  • Applying the skills learned: a practical exercise
  • How detailed should minutes be?
  • Writing style
  • Passive voice or active voice?
  • Structure and layout
  • Analysing examples
  • Minute-writing: key guiding principles
  • Naming names: CGI best practice
  • Appointment, termination, and detail changes
  • Using the Power/Interest Matrix to maintain key relationships
  • The Minute-taker’s Reminder Checklist
  • Post-course reference material that you will receive

     

  • Effective minute-taking: summary of tools, tips and techniques

Course Leader

Terri Le Couteur CL Hero

Terri Le Couteur FCG, MSc Governance

Terri Le Couteur is the founder of TLC Governance Solutions Limited (tlcgovernancesolutions.co.uk), her independent consultancy where she provides governance consultancy, specialised AI governance support, and bespoke governance training. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, Terri is also a recognised thought leader in governance, strategy, and AI governance. A Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and holding a Master's in Corporate Governance, Terri is a go-to expert in corporate governance, compliance, and board dynamics. She excels at equipping boards, executives, and governance professionals with the practical tools and insights needed to navigate regulatory compliance, risk management, and effective governance in today's complex landscape. Her training is known for being insightful, impactful, and directly applicable, helping organisations significantly enhance their governance frameworks and leadership effectiveness. Terri's extensive experience encompasses various jurisdictions, including the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, the Cayman Islands, BVI, and Ireland, across diverse sectors such as Banking, Funds (private equity, infrastructure, real estate, debt), Trust, and Private Wealth. She also possesses considerable expertise with listed entities on both the UK's AIM and full markets and TISE along with those in other international jurisdictions. Her impressive professional background includes serving as the named Company Secretary for leading banks and fund administrators, acting as a Director on numerous client vehicles for both global and smaller firms, and providing advisory services to regulatory and professional bodies. As a professional trainer, Terri is dedicated to making governance accessible, practical, and meaningful, free of jargon and box-ticking.
Available Dates
26 June 2025
Virtual
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT
24 July 2025
Zoom
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 + VAT
11 September 2025
Virtual
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT
25 September 2025
Zoom
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT
9 October 2025
CGIUKI, Saffron House, London, EC1N 8TS
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT
23 October 2025
Zoom
Training Course
09:30 to 16:30
From £440 + VAT
6 November 2025
Zoom
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT
13 November 2025
CGIUKI, Saffron House, London, EC1N 8TS
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT
4 December 2025
Zoom
Training Course
09:30 to 16:45
From £440 +VAT