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EspañolHow to write meeting minutes, with a template you can use today
Good minutes tell someone who was not there three things: what was decided, who does what by when, and what is still open. Here is how to write them, with a template to copy.
By Therese AnhammerUpdated Oct. 16, 2026
What goes into the minutes
The basics
The meeting's name, the date and who took part.
A short summary
Three to five sentences for someone who reads nothing else.
Decisions
Each decision on a line of its own, as it was agreed.
Action points
What is to be done, who does it, and by when.
Open questions
What was raised but not settled, so it comes back next time.
Notes by topic
The main points of each topic, when the minutes need more than the summary.
Write them in four steps
- 1
Before the meeting. Write the agenda and list the people taking part.
- 2
During the meeting. Note each decision as it is made, and ask who does each task and by when.
- 3
Right after. Write the minutes the same day, while everyone still remembers.
- 4
Finally. Send them to everyone, and ask them to point out anything that is wrong.
The template
Copy it into your notes app or your email, or download it as a text file.
Minutes: [Meeting name] Date: [Date] Attendees: [Names] Summary [Three to five sentences] Decisions 1. [Decision] Action points - [What] ([who], by [when]) Open questions - [Question] Notes by topic [Topic] - [Note]
For a board or an annual meeting, the association's own rules say what the minutes must contain. Board and association minutes
Or let Prokoll write the first draft
Record the meeting, and Prokoll writes these sections on your Mac: the summary, decisions, action points with who and by when, open questions and notes by topic. Read the draft, correct what needs correcting, and send it.