Meetings, Agenda, and Meeting Minutes
Meetings are declared.
Someone decides that a meeting should happen with some group of people. Usually this results in someone scheduling a meeting.
Meetings have a purpose.
While the purpose may not be clear to everyone in attendance, there is always a reason someone felt they needed to declare a meeting.
Meetings have a defined start and end.
Each meeting has a clear before, during, and after.
Meetings
What is a Meeting?
A meeting is a defined real-time gathering of two or more people for the purpose of achieving a common goal through conversation and interaction. Meetings have three qualities which differentiate them from other kinds of conversations:
Meetings are declared.
Someone decides that a meeting should happen with some group of people. Usually this results in someone scheduling a meeting.
Meetings have a purpose.
While the purpose may not be clear to everyone in attendance, there is always a reason someone felt they needed to declare a meeting.
Meetings have a defined start and end.
Each meeting has a clear before, during, and after.
What is an Agenda?
The agenda is the version of the meeting plan shared with the meeting attendees. Sharing a meeting's agenda in advance helps attendees come prepared. During the meeting, an agenda can be used to help keep the conversation moving forward and on time.
The simplest agendas are formatted as a short-bulleted list. More complicated agendas may include detailed descriptions, including the expected outcomes for each item, and reference material such as reports and proposals for review prior to the meeting. Formal agendas will also include timing and presenter information for each agenda item.
Meeting designers and facilitators often create a more detailed meeting plans that include extra details such as process notes, activity descriptions, and timing prompts.
What are Meeting Minutes?
Meeting Minutes, or informally, notes, are the record of a meeting in written form. They typically describe the events of the meeting and may include an agenda, a list of attendees and no shows, a listing of issues and decisions made, and an action list with due dates and responsible parties. In formal meetings, the minutes become official after review and a vote at the next meeting.
Reference
What is a Meeting? (n.d.). Lucid Meetings. Retrieved January 11, 2023 from What is a Meeting? (lucidmeetings.com)
What is an Agenda? (n.d.). Lucid Meetings. Retr
