ChatGPT and AI could make taking minutes easier – but there are some very real dangers!
Let’s face it, not many of us feel that confident over our business English writing skills. Nor do we particularly enjoy the task of extracting the critical content from lengthy meetings. Minute takers whose first language is not necessarily English or any individual who is recording minutes of meetings where unfamiliar content is being discussed [...]
Shorthand: Does it help take competent minutes?
We are often asked this question by delegates who feel a need to further their studies and learn this skill. Our recommendation? To learn Pitman’s shorthand in today’s day and age is a waste of your time and money. It is also a limiting career move. Do you need shorthand to take competent minutes of [...]
Minute Laws: How long should you keep minutes
What meeting minute laws exist and how long should you keep those company minutes? In terms of the South African Companies Act 71 of 2008, as amended by the Companies Amendment Act 3 of 2011 and the Companies Regulations 2011, which came into effect on 1 May 2011, all South African companies are required to [...]
Role of the Modern Minute Taker
This article discusses the role of the minute taker in the modern world. In our previous article, we discussed the dying skill called ‘shorthand’. We do not believe that today’s modern professional has the time to learn what is essentially a new language in order to simplify the function of minute taking. In today’s business [...]
Who should approve the draft minutes of meetings?
What is the process for approval of drafts of minutes of meetings? We are often asked about the correct process for distributing the minutes immediately after a meeting. The confusion usually arises in terms of who should be checking and making amendments to these initial minutes before they are distributed to meeting attendees. Firstly, it [...]
What to do if your organisation has lost their Minute Book?
Company board minutes must be stored in a minute book according to regulations Recently we were asked a question by a concerned delegate whose company had experienced the theft of their Minute Book. This is a most concerning situation indeed as should auditors, SARS or a court of law request the Minute Book for any [...]
Minute Taking content you do not understand
As minute takers, we tend to panic the as soon as we hear unfamiliar wording, jargon or acronyms. We feel we have to understand what is being said before we can take good minutes of the meeting. You find yourself panicking and losing track, and feeling unsure of how to record the information. Does this [...]
Increase your vocabulary the easy way!
Let’s be honest. When we learn new words, we do so ‘intuitively’ most of the time. We seldom check the actual meanings of these words, resulting in our often incorrect usage based on assumptions. Ladies and gentlemen, we at Minute Takers Clinic have a fun way to increase your vocabulary. Please read on. One of [...]
