Simple Meeting Minutes Templates and Examples

In every discussion, especially during the most interesting and intense moments, events can unfold so quickly that important details may be forgotten afterward. That’s why recording every significant detail is crucial to avoid confusion later on. A simple meeting minutes template is one of the best solutions to this problem, as it provides a written record of the discussion. Another excellent option is Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant, which automatically generates action items, summaries, and notes based on the meeting transcription, making it a true superhero in capturing the essence of your meetings. 

 

 

What Are Meeting Minutes?

 

You’ve likely heard the phrase “meeting minutes” many times, but did you know that the word “minutes” has nothing to do with measuring time? It derives from the Latin term minuta, meaning “small” or “trivial.” So, when we refer to “meeting minutes,” we’re talking about a concise, detailed record of the specific points discussed during a meeting.

 

Meeting minutes play a crucial role in any formal meeting. They serve as an official record of the discussions, decisions, and actions. A well-crafted meeting minutes template helps ensure consistency and accuracy, providing a clear and transparent account of the meeting. This transparency is essential in team communication, where clarity and accountability are key.

 

Key Components of Effective Meeting Minutes

 

The effectiveness of any meeting minutes is defined by its ability to capture all the important details of the meeting. To achieve this, certain essential components must be included in every simple meeting minutes template.

 

1. Meeting Details

 

Every meeting minutes template should begin from the basics, like the date, time, location, and type of meeting (e.g., regular, special, or emergency). This will give context and make it easy to reference the minutes later.  

 

2. Attendees

In a professional setting, just as in a school, it’s essential to categorize participants as present, absent, or attending as guests. This component is crucial because it ensures that those who contribute to the meeting can be recognized and rewarded accordingly.

 

3. Agenda Items

 

The meeting’s agenda or topics are just as important as other details and should be outlined clearly. This helps keep everything organized and ensures that absent team members can easily understand what was discussed.

 

4. Discussion Summaries

 

This might be the most essential component of any meeting minutes template. By reading this section, you’ll understand what was discussed, what suggestions were made, and what outcomes were achieved. Of course, manually writing it all down can be challenging, but using Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant makes it effortless. This tool ensures that no detail is missed and offers automatic summarization to simplify your life. By transcribing meetings in real-time, Krisp’s powerful tool creates perfect notes with ease.

 

5. Decisions Made

 

This section is where the results of the discussions are reported. It’s a good idea to also document any motions or resolutions made and who was responsible for them. This part is crucial for ensuring that everyone understands what was decided and what actions need to be taken moving forward.

 

6. Action Items

 

During the meeting, tasks were assigned to various team members. Each task needs to be clearly outlined to ensure everyone knows their responsibilities and there is no confusion. Just list the tasks or action items that were assigned during the meeting, along with the names of the responsible individuals and deadlines. 

 

7. Next Meeting Details

 

If you have already decided then you can include the date, time, and location of the next meeting. This helps participants prepare for upcoming discussions and ensures that meetings are scheduled and communicated effectively.

Here is a sample of a simple meeting minutes template:

 

Meeting Minutes Template

 

1. Meeting Details

• Date: [Enter Date]
• Time: [Enter Time]
• Location: [Enter Location]
• Type of Meeting: [Regular/Special/Emergency]

2. Attendees

• Present:
  • [Name 1]
  • [Name 2]
  • [Name 3]
• Absent:
  • [Name 1]
  • [Name 2]
• Guests:
  • [Name 1]
  • [Name 2]

3. Agenda Items

1. [Agenda Item 1]: [Brief Description]
2. [Agenda Item 2]: [Brief Description]
3. [Agenda Item 3]: [Brief Description]

4. Discussion Summaries

1. [Agenda Item 1]:
   • Summary: [Key points raised, perspectives shared]
2. [Agenda Item 2]:
   • Summary: [Key points raised, perspectives shared]
3. [Agenda Item 3]:
   • Summary: [Key points raised, perspectives shared]

5. Decisions Made

1. [Decision 1]: [Description of the decision]
2. [Decision 2]: [Description of the decision]

6. Action Items

• [Task 1]: Assigned to [Person], Deadline: [Date]
• [Task 2]: Assigned to [Person], Deadline: [Date]

7. Next Meeting Details

• Date: [Enter Date]
• Time: [Enter Time]
• Location: [Enter Location]

 

Different Types of Meeting Minutes Templates

 

There are different types of meeting templates for different purposes. So, before choosing your meeting minutes template you should understand which type is the right one for your meeting.  Here’s an overview of various types of meeting minutes templates:

 

1. Standard Meeting Minutes Template

 

• Purpose: The purpose of the standard meeting minutes template is to provide a basic record of the meeting. It is a good choice for routine meetings as well as general updates. 
• Structure:
  • Date & Time: When the meeting took place.
  • Attendees: List of participants and their roles.
  • Agenda: Outline of topics discussed.
  • Discussion Points: Summary of each agenda item.
  • Decisions Made: Conclusions reached during the meeting.
  • Action Items: Tasks assigned, including responsible individuals and deadlines.

2. Detailed Meeting Minutes Template

 

• Purpose: For a detailed meeting template, simply jotting down details may not suffice. It’s more effective to include a voice recording along with notes. If you believe the situation is more complex, consider using Krisp. With its AI Meeting Assistant, you can capture a comprehensive record of discussions, decisions, and action items with greater depth. Detailed meeting minutes template is great for board meetings, complex project discussions, and detailed reporting. 

 

• Structure:
  • Date & Time: Specific date and start/end times.
  • Attendees: Full list of participants, including roles and titles.
  • Agenda: Detailed agenda with each topic’s time allocation.
  • Discussion Points: In-depth summaries of discussions, including key quotes and insights.
  • Decisions Made: Detailed records of resolutions, including the rationale behind decisions.
  • Action Items: Detailed list of tasks, responsible persons, deadlines, and follow-up steps.
  • Attachments: Any documents or presentations shared during the meeting.

3. Board Meeting Minutes Template

 

• Purpose: A board meeting minutes template is designed to document formal board meetings, which are often required for legal or compliance purposes. A simple board meeting minutes template is great for corporate governance and official board meetings.

 

• Structure:
  • Date & Time: Meeting specifics.
  • Attendees: Board members present and their roles.
  • Approval of Previous Minutes: Notes on the approval or amendments of prior meeting minutes.
  • Agenda Items: Detailed list with discussions and decisions.
  • Resolutions Passed: Specific motions, resolutions, and their outcomes.
  • Voting Records: Results of votes, including who voted for or against.
  • Action Items: Assigned tasks with deadlines.

 

4. Action Item-Centric Meeting Minutes Template

 

• Purpose: There are meetings where decisions are made, and the only task left is to assign responsibilities among team members. These meetings focus primarily on action items. Here’s the structure for such meetings:
• Structure:
  • Date & Time: When the meeting was held.
  • Attendees: Participants involved.
  • Action Items: A detailed list of all tasks assigned, including:
    • Task Description: What needs to be done.
    • Assigned To: Person responsible.
    • Deadline: Due date for the task.
    • Status: Current status or progress updates.

5. Project Meeting Minutes Template

 

• Purpose: Project meetings typically start on Monday mornings, serving to summarize the previous workweek, track progress, address various issues, and quickly plan tasks for the upcoming week. Monday morning meetings are essential for team coordination and milestone reviews. Here’s a structure for a project meeting minutes template tailored to these purposes:

 

• Structure:
  • Date & Time: When the meeting took place.
  • Attendees: Project team members present.
  • Project Status: Summary of current status and updates.
  • Agenda Items: Topics related to project tasks, milestones, and issues.
  • Discussion Points: Key discussions, challenges, and solutions.
  • Decisions Made: Agreements and resolutions specific to the project.
  • Action Items: Tasks assigned with deadlines and responsible parties.

 

Conclusion 

 

Successful events are the result of effective meetings. Every meeting—whether formal or informal—holds a certain level of importance, making attention to detail essential. A simple meeting minutes template is crucial for capturing key points that impact the overall context. By referring to this template, you can quickly grasp the essence of the meeting without struggling to recall vague details.

 

Choosing the right meeting minutes template can greatly improve the efficiency of your documentation. For example, a simple meeting minutes template in Word format is user-friendly and straightforward. You can also elevate your meeting documentation to the next level by integrating Krisp Meeting Minutes App, making the process not only comprehensive but effortless. In simple terms, this tool handles everything for you. With Krisp, you can focus entirely on the speaker, enjoying your meetings without the hassle of note-taking or filling out templates.

 

 

FAQ

How do you write minutes for a beginner meeting?

 For a beginner meeting, minutes should be straightforward and easy to follow. Begin by listing the basic details such as the meeting’s date, time, and participants. Then, outline the agenda items discussed, summarizing each point in simple language. Highlight any decisions made, tasks assigned, and deadlines. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences to ensure clarity for all readers.

How to make a template for meeting minutes?

 To create a meeting minutes template, start with a header that includes the meeting’s title, date, time, and location. Below that, include sections for attendee names, agenda items, discussion summaries, decisions, action items, and next meeting details. You can design the template in a Word document, using tables or bullet points to organize the information. Ensure it’s easy to update and can be reused for future meetings.

Is there a minutes template in Word?

 Yes, Microsoft Word offers various meeting minutes templates that you can use. You can access these templates by searching for “meeting minutes” in Word’s template library. These templates are customizable and designed to help you efficiently record meeting details, including discussions, decisions, and action items.