Taking Meeting Minutes
A designated person is diligently recording key points, decisions, action items, and attendees during a meeting.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
kick off
This phrasal verb means to start something, like a meeting or event. It's commonly used in professional settings to begin discussions energetically.
minutes
In meetings, 'minutes' refers to the written record of what was discussed, decided, and assigned. It's a key term for documenting workplace discussions.
capture
To 'capture' information means to record or note it down accurately. In this context, it's used for taking notes during a meeting.
highlight
To 'highlight' something means to emphasize or draw attention to it as important. Useful when asking for key points in discussions.
action items
These are specific tasks or responsibilities assigned during a meeting, often with deadlines. Essential vocabulary for tracking work progress in teams.
owners
In business, 'owners' of action items are the people responsible for completing them. It helps assign clear accountability in meetings.
attendees
People who are present and participating in a meeting. Listing them in minutes ensures everyone knows who was involved.
accountability
This means being responsible for one's actions or tasks. In meetings, it refers to ensuring people follow through on their duties.
circulated
To 'circulate' documents means to share or distribute them to a group, like emailing meeting minutes to the team.
promptly
Means quickly and without delay. It's polite to use in professional communication to show efficiency.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Alright everyone, let's kick off this morning's project update meeting.
This is a natural way to start a meeting. 'Alright everyone' gets attention, and 'kick off' means begin. Use it to open professional gatherings energetically.
I've got my notebook and laptop ready to capture everything.
This shows preparation. 'I've got... ready' is informal for 'I have... prepared.' Useful for confirming readiness in meetings or tasks.
Please make sure to note down all key decisions, action items with owners, and their target completion dates.
This instructs on recording specifics. It uses imperative 'please make sure' for polite requests. Key for giving clear directions in workplace instructions.
Understood. Will do.
A concise way to confirm agreement. 'Understood' means I get it, and 'will do' is short for 'I will do it.' Practical for quick acknowledgments in conversations.
Should I also include a list of attendees and any absent members with their reasons, if known?
This asks for clarification politely with 'should I.' The conditional 'if known' adds flexibility. Use it when seeking confirmation on additional details.
That's standard procedure for our meeting minutes. It helps with accountability.
Explains a common practice. 'Standard procedure' means usual way of doing things. Useful for justifying routines in professional explanations.
That covers the essentials. Let's send them out within 24 hours of the meeting, please.
'Covers the essentials' means includes the main points. The time phrase 'within 24 hours' sets a deadline. Good for summarizing and assigning timelines.
Absolutely. I'll get them drafted and circulated promptly.
'Absolutely' agrees strongly. 'Get them drafted' means prepare a first version. Use this to confirm actions positively in team settings.