By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
MeetGeekBlogFind Your Perfect Meeting Notes Template
Back to Blog

Find Your Perfect Meeting Notes Template

Templates
Templates
Meetings
Meetings

Are meetings a part of your work life, but you have no idea what they should contain or even look like? Read this article to get your meeting notes template!

Anastasia Muha
May 15, 2023
/
5 min read
Table of content
Experience meeting automation for yourself!
📝 AI that takes notes for you
✅ Label next steps & other key points
💬 Share insights with others & apps
Sign Up for Free
Share the knowledge with your circle
Copied

Image Source: peoplecreations on Freepik

Meeting notes and meeting minutes — their more formal counterparts — don’t only exist to keep a record of your meetings but also to make them useful and impactful.

How many times have you tried to recall a past meeting and thought: what was that about? That’s because people tend to forget around half of the new information they learn within sixty minutes. This number can go up to 70% within a day.

Learn how to defy the forgetting curve by upgrading your meeting notes with our templates, tips, and best practices! 

Why Do You Need Good Meeting Notes: Best Practices

Whether you're in charge of taking meeting notes or meeting minutes, there are some general guidelines you’ll have to follow every single time. Let’s take a closer look at what they are.  

1. Highlight Valuable Exchange of Information

Meeting notes should highlight the valuable exchange of information that occurred during meetings by providing a clear and concise summary of the topics discussed.

 

As a designated note-taker, you must look at this task practically and objectively.  Even if you take all the necessary steps to prepare for the note-taking process, what you do during the meeting is what matters most. 

Taking detailed and organized notes can be useless if you don't take into consideration the context of the discussion, the real intention behind what meeting participants say, and any other relevant meeting details.

Make note of any topics you haven't reached a conclusion on, as well as any open-ended questions that still require your attention. This way, you can ensure the continuity of your team’s efforts and bridge the gap between your previous and your next meeting.

2. Summarize Discussions for Future Reference

You may be tempted to go above and beyond to capture everything that happens during your meetings, but that is not the point. 

Good meeting notes are a summarization, one that people can later read to get the full picture of all previous meetings.

Take notes that are concise, clear, and focused on the key points while avoiding irrelevant details. Record all decisions, action items, next steps, and other relevant topics. Review and edit the notes to make sure they are precise and thorough. Include any resources or documents that were mentioned during the meeting. 

3. Promote Accountability

Accountability implies that everyone is aware of the tasks at hand, what it takes to achieve them, and the timeline for completing them. When it's all in writing, there's hardly any way around it. 

Meeting notes can also be used to track progress, which ensures that pain points can be addressed in a timely and effective manner. By instilling a sense of urgency among team members, meeting minutes can act as a source of motivation to ensure the team's success.

Accountability helps to build trust within the entire team because when everyone knows they need to rely on each other, they are more likely to take their post-meeting responsibilities seriously. 

Image Source: freepik on Freepik

4. Increase Productivity

Meeting notes can serve as a to-do list that prompts team members to work together when needed, prioritize urgent tasks, and make the most of a company’s available resources. 

Speaking of productivity, taking good meeting notes that you’ll actually be able to use later on is mandatory. Our virtual meeting assistant MeetGeek not only automatically records, and transcribes your meetings, but also extracts the key points, questions, and comments using the keywords you provide. That way, you’ll never have to think about manually taking meeting notes again.

Try MeetGeek for free to rewind all your meetings in only a few clicks!

5. Maintain Transparency for Your Business

Meeting notes allow all employees — even those who can't attend a meeting — to stay informed on the decisions that have been made and the topics that have been discussed. 

When meeting information is available to all team members, and everyone is aware of the company’s goals and objectives, people feel more comfortable voicing their opinions and concerns. This ensures that everyone is on the same page at every stage of a project.

6. Get Legal Protection 

Many public entities rely on meeting minutes for legal protection, and private businesses can use their meeting notes similarly.

 

Having clear evidence of the decisions, actions, and agreements made in a particular meeting can help settle disputes between parties by providing proof of what was discussed and agreed upon. Moreover, they provide a record of the decision-making process, which can also be used in court to establish the facts of a case.

This is why it is important to be as accurate as possible in recording the meeting notes; any discrepancies or errors could be used against you in court. Make sure to sign and date all of your meeting notes, as this may be life-saving in case of litigation. 

What Should Go Into Meeting Notes?

There are several things you should include in your meeting notes to structure them in a logical, clear, and cohesive manner. As follows: 

A. Date and Time of Meeting

Write the meeting date and time at the top of the meeting notes. It is best to aim for a consistent format for the date and time, such as day/month/year (dd/mm/yyyy) followed by the time (hh:mm AM/PM), for example, Wednesday 12th July 2023, 10:00 AM. You can also include the time zone or the meeting location (when applicable).

B. Names Of the Participants

The best format for listing the participants in your meeting notes is to write the names of each participant in alphabetical order. This will help you quickly check who attended the meeting and keep track of who said what. Alternatively, you may organize meeting participants by their roles or titles. 

C. Meeting Agenda Items and Topics Discussed

List your agenda items and discussion points as bullet points, and aim for a clear, easy-to-read format. Use headings to separate sections, and try keeping each topic to one or two bullet points. Don’t forget to include any relevant details and information. 

PRO TIP: If you’re ever in a hurry and don’t have the time to pre-plan your meeting minutes, you can use your meeting agenda as a meeting minutes template to save the meeting.

You can sync your meeting agenda with your MeetGeek account, so you never lose sight of what’s important! Our AI virtual meeting assistant records, transcribes, analyzes, and summarizes all of your meetings so that you’ll never have to participate in an unproductive meeting again!!

Use meeting templates in MeetGeek to have structured and collaborative meetings.

D. Action Items

The goal is to have a clear and organized overview of all tasks discussed during the meeting, and to make it easy for the responsible parties to refer back to the notes and take action. Here is the format you should aim for:

  • List of the action items discussed 
  • Name the person responsible for completing each task 
  • Include any deadlines associated with each task 
  • Point to the resources or additional information needed for completion.

Meeting Notes Templates

To make the note-taking process easier, check out these meeting minutes templates before your next meeting. 

1. Informal Meeting Minutes Template

Date: [dd/mm/yyyy]
Time:
[hh:mm AM/PM]
Location: 
Attendees:
 

Meeting Agenda: 

1. Check-In Questions

-
If you need check-in question ideas, check these out!

2. Updates:
-
Update #1
- Update #2
- Update #3

3. Discussion Items: 
-
Item #1
- Item #2
- Item #3

4. Action Items:
-
Item #1
- Item #2
- Item #3

5. Next steps
-
List all action items, responsible persons, due date
- Example: Alyssa must finish the design for the new product by 01/01/2024

6. Resources Required to Complete Next Steps

7. Questions & Answers

2. Detailed Meeting Minutes Template (Formal)

Date: [dd/mm/yyyy]
Time:
[hh:mm AM/PM]
Attendees
: [First and last names + titles]
Absentees:
[First and last names + titles]


1. CALL TO ORDER

2. OPENING REMARKS
[summary]

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
[dd/mm/yyyy]
- Motion: To approve the minutes as circulated or amended
- Motion by: [first and last + title of the person who made the motion]
- Seconded by:  [first and last + title of the person who made the motion]
- Motion Carried/Defeated

4. ADDITIONS TO THE CURRENT AGENDA
[can be listed as bullet points]

5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
-
Motion: To approve the agenda as circulated or amended 
- Motion by: [first and last + title of the person who made the motion]
- Seconded by:  [first and last + title of the person who made the motion]
- Motion Carried/Defeated

6. BUSINESS FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Items from previous meetings that require further discussion, including any open-ended questions

7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
-
Summarize the discussion, and organize it as distinct topics 
- Include all motions
- Include all applicable deadlines, names of the responsible people, and follow-up instructions.
- Point to any relevant resources or add the links to them

8. ADJOURNMENT
-
Record the time the meeting was adjourned

9. NEXT MEETING [date & time]

10. OTHER NOTES

11. SIGNATURES
-
Chairperson: 
- Secretary: 

3. Board Meeting Minutes Template

Date: [dd/mm/yyyy]
Time:
[hh:mm AM/PM]
Attendees
: [First and last names + titles]
Absentees:
[First and last names + titles]
Chairperson:
[First and last name + title]


I. Call to Order
Chairperson ___________________ called the meeting to order at ___________________.

II. Approval of Previous Minutes
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved/amended.

III. Reports
1.
Treasurer's Report
- The Treasurer reported on the financial status of the company and attached the following documents: [additional resources]

2. Committee Reports
- The Chairperson requested each committee representative to provide a brief overview of their achievements since the previous meeting: [additional resources]

IV. Old Business From Previous Board Meetings 
1.
 ___________________
2. ___________________
3. ___________________

V. New Business
1.  ___________________
2. ___________________
3. ___________________

VI. Announcements
1.  ___________________
2. ___________________
3. ___________________

VII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at ___________________

VIII. Signatures
-
Chairperson ___________________
- Board Members ___________________
- Secretary___________________

4. Simple Meeting Minutes Template

Meeting Date: _______________________
Meeting Time
: _______________________
Meeting Location:
___________________
Participants
: _________________________


Agenda Items:
1. ___________________________________
2.  __________________________________
3.  __________________________________

Discussion and Decisions:
1. ___________________________________
2.  __________________________________
3.  __________________________________

Next Steps:
1. ___________________________________
2.  __________________________________
3.  __________________________________

Action Items:
1. ___________________________________
2.  __________________________________
3.  __________________________________

Make Meeting Notes Easy With MeetGeek! 

Taking meeting notes is a learning process, and having customizable meeting note templates available at all times should be the ace up your sleeve. 

If you want to simplify the entire process even further, try MeetGeek for free to have your AI meeting assistant do all the hard work and record, transcribe, analyze, summarize, and share your meetings!

Article updated on 
October 29, 2024
Share the knowledge with your circle
Copied
Related posts

How to Run an Effective Discovery Meeting

Learn how to run an effective discovery meeting with practical tips and strategies that ensure success.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Master Scrum Meetings: Best Practices & Templates

Learn how to run effective Scrum meetings with practical tips and templates. Streamline your workflow, boost team collaboration, and get the most out of every meeting!

This is some text inside of a div block.

Free Board Meeting Minutes Template + Best Practices

Use these free templates for board meeting minutes and discover best practices to capture and organize key discussions effectively.

This is some text inside of a div block.

Google Meet vs. Zoom: Which One to Choose in 2024

Discover the ultimate showdown between Google Meet and Zoom in 2024! Find out which video conferencing tool wins in features and value.

This is some text inside of a div block.

20 Outside-the-Box Ideas for Team Meetings

Energize and engage your team with one of these 20 innovative team meeting ideas.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to ‘Share Screen’ on Zoom [PC/Mobile] + Pro Tips

Learn how to share your screen during Zoom meetings on both PC and mobile devices with our expert tips!

This is some text inside of a div block.

The 10 Secrets to Effective Meeting Management

Unlock the secrets to effective meeting management! Discover 10 game-changing strategies for productive meetings.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Set Up a Zoom Meeting & Stellar Tips for Boosted Engagement

Master the Zoom setup with our easy step-by-step guide. From scheduling to hosting, learn how to connect & engage in the digital world.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Set Up a Teams Meeting: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Learn to set up a Teams meeting effortlessly with our beginner-friendly guide. From scheduling to inviting, we cover every step!

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Have a Successful Business Meeting in 2024

Master the art of successful business meetings this year with our top tips for planning, engaging, and achieving results in the modern workplace.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Join a Zoom Meeting from Any Device in 2024

Step into 2024 with ease: Learn to join Zoom meetings from any device with this simple, user-friendly guide for seamless virtual connections.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Change the Zoom Host + How to Add a Zoom Alternative Host

Learn the quick and easy steps to change hosts in Zoom meetings with this comprehensive and beginner-friendly guide.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Choose the Right Meeting Cadence: The Manager’s Playbook

Unlock the secrets to setting the perfect meeting cadence for optimal team productivity with this guide for managers.

This is some text inside of a div block.

What is Virtual Meeting & What to Expect in 2024: A Look Ahead

Discover the future of virtual meetings in 2024 and some out-of-time tips with this insightful article.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Transcribe Zoom Meetings into Google Docs without Additional Permissions

Learn how to efficiently transcribe your Zoom meetings into Google Docs with these simple steps. Increase productivity and easily reference past discussions.

This is some text inside of a div block.

The Ultimate End-of-Year Review: A Guide for Managers

Master the art of end-of-year reviews with our comprehensive guide for managers. Learn proven strategies to evaluate performance and set goals for success in the coming year.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Run an Effective Brainstorming Session

Get ready to unlock your team's creativity. Don't miss this guide to running an effective brainstorming session that will bring innovative ideas to life.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Host the Ultimate One-on-One Meeting

Discover how to organize one-on-one meetings that improve communication, foster engagement, and build stronger relationships in your team by reading this article!

This is some text inside of a div block.

Effective Data Visualization for Meeting Insights

Visualization makes conveying complex data more understandable. Let's discover how to level up your next meeting with visual assets.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Facilitate Inclusive and Collaborative Meetings

Good meeting planning and facilitation are what makes team meetings inclusive, collaborative, and effective leading to problem resolution and new idea generation.

This is some text inside of a div block.

Innovative Meeting Formats: Exploring Alternatives to Traditional Business Meetings for Enhanced Creativity

Explore some alternative meeting formats that can revolutionize how your team collaborates and generates ideas.

This is some text inside of a div block.

Top 8 Online Virtual Meeting Platforms for Growing Organizations

With more and more virtual meeting platforms being available in the market, choosing the right one for your business can be quite confusing and challenging.

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Create Flawless Action Items + Examples

Want to boost your productivity and achieve your goals with actionable steps? Master the art of writing effective action items with this guide!

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Record Google Meet Sessions without Special Permissions in 2024

Discover how to easily record a Google Meet in our comprehensive guide. Read this article to never worry about missing important information again!

This is some text inside of a div block.

The Power of a Blog: How Meetings Can Be Transformed into Engaging Content

In this article, we'll unpack six inventive strategies for leveraging meeting transcripts to enhance your marketing efforts.

This is some text inside of a div block.

The 10 Best Vowel.ai Alternatives for Your Meetings

Click through for a look at 7 of the top alternatives to Vowel for your next meeting.

This is some text inside of a div block.

The 10 Best Meeting Scheduling Software for 2024

The best meeting scheduling tools offer a frictionless experience for all participants. Here are 10 options that will save hours of your time!

This is some text inside of a div block.

10 Ways an AI Meeting Assistant Can Help With Your Meetings & Interviews

Without the right tools in place, meetings can be a painful process. Read this article to explore the 10 best use cases of having an AI meeting assistant!

This is some text inside of a div block.

Find Your Perfect Meeting Notes Template

Are meetings a part of your work life, but you have no idea what they should contain or even look like? Read this article to get your meeting notes template!

This is some text inside of a div block.

How To Record a Zoom Meeting If You’re Not a Host

Discover how to record Zoom meetings without hosting privileges from any device for a streamlined meeting experience!

This is some text inside of a div block.

15 Free Meeting Agenda Examples

Are you still trying to find the perfect meeting agenda examples to use as inspiration before your next meeting? Check out our free 15 templates!

This is some text inside of a div block.

Why You Need to Set Meeting Goals and How to Do That

The first step to a successful meeting is defining your meeting goals. Read this article to learn how high-performing teams do this!

This is some text inside of a div block.

6 Tips to Write a Successful Meeting Agenda with Examples

Want to write the ultimate meeting agenda and achieve all-time productivity in your team meetings? Follow these 6 pro tips to learn how and check out our free templates to get started.

This is some text inside of a div block.

The 5 Best Types of Check-In Questions for Meetings

Are you a manager trying to find the best check-in questions for meetings? Read this before your next meeting!

This is some text inside of a div block.

How to Write an Effective Meeting Invitation Email

Ever wondered what the recipe for a successful meeting invitation email is? Read this article to learn all of our tips and insights!

This is some text inside of a div block.

Client Engagement Letter: Overview, Format & Sample

Looking to define the relationship with your clients and draft the perfect engagement letter? Here is everything you need to know!

This is some text inside of a div block.

10 Tips to Write an Effective Meeting Recap

Discover 10 practical tips to write clear and effective meeting recaps that keep your team informed and on track. Enhance communication and productivity with these easy steps.

This is some text inside of a div block.

15 Types Of Meetings: What Makes Them Different & Tips

Are you a manager who wants to master the art of hosting meetings? Learn how to approach these 15 types of meetings effectively with our exclusive tips!

This is some text inside of a div block.

10 Types of HR Screening Questions to Ask If You're a Hiring Manager

Are you trying to find the best candidate for a job posting in your company? Read this article to discover the best types of HR screening questions!

This is some text inside of a div block.

Get Started with Meetgeek

Turn meetings from a necessary evil into a positive and rewarding experience