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Until recently, I was in a job where I had to take detailed minutes. Not exactly a transcription, but the project coordinators wanted more detail than just a few bullet points. Primarily because they relied on the minutes to be a primary communication device/checkpoint to others involved in the project, but not involved in the meetings. Frequently, an hour's meeting would translate into an hour of writing up minutes.
On the very complex meetings, I did take a recorder. But I used the recorder to verify points that seemed to conflict or that didn't make sense from my minutes. I was typing into my laptop at the meeting as the meeting went along. Then listening to the meeting again as I worked up the minutes.
I did manage to catch a number of misstatements and inconsistencies this way. And I dare say my "job approval rating" dropped with those individuals who I had to question about what they really said or really meant -- since I had the text on tape.
As I mentioned at the top of this message, I am no longer responsible for meeting minutes, as my new manager would rather I spend my time working on other aspects of the project(s) I am assigned to. Either the project coordinator or one of our admin assistants will take minutes.
That works for me, because I now have an extra 6 to 8 hours a week for project work, and I am no longer called into meetings where they just need a someone to "take minutes".
Carol Anne
Carol Anne Wall
St. Paul, MN USA
Vigilance!
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