Do You Send Meeting Summary Notes?

If not, why not?

I have found that documenting meetings in the form of Meeting Minutes is a good way to keep everyone honest.  How many times have you heard, “I didn’t agree to that,“ or “This is the first time I’ve heard about this.”

If you send meeting minutes to the meeting attendees after the meeting, they will have no excuse because you documented the issue or decision and sent it to everyone that attended the meeting.  This simple activity has saved my bacon more than once.

Yes, it will take time to draft and send the meeting minutes, and it will impact your workload.  But just think of the hassles you will be preventing by documenting the meeting and the decisions agreed to.

Here is what I include in my meeting minutes:

Invitees/Attendees

Name1, Name 2, etc.

Agenda

1. Agenda Topic 1
2. Agenda Topic 2

Meeting Discussion and Notes

1. Topic 1
2. Topic 2

Previous Action Items

1. Action 1
2. Action 2

New Action Items

1. Name of person responsible and date due
2. Name of person responsible and date due

Decisions

1.  Decision 1
2. Decision 2

Document your meeting notes, send, then relax.