Price: £699 + GST (up to 12 people) – presented face-to-face or electronically via MsTeams
Course Duration: 2 Hours
Target Audience: Company Secretaries and Governance Professionals in Jersey (can be tailored for other jurisdictions upon request).
This interactive course equips participants with the practical skills and confidence to take and draft professional minutes. With a focus on preparation, active listening, drafting techniques, and best practice, it provides actionable strategies to create clear, structured, and accurate minutes that strengthen corporate governance.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the role and responsibilities of the minute-taker.
- Apply structured and effective preparation techniques.
- Practise concise note-taking and summarisation during meetings.
- Draft professional minutes using standard layouts and templates.
- Apply proofreading and review techniques to ensure accuracy.
- Circulate minutes and action items in line with governance requirements.
This course is designed to provide company secretaries with the skills to master the art of minute-taking. Participants will learn the full process from preparation and active listening through to drafting, review, and distribution. The course ensures they are equipped to produce minutes that are professional, compliant, and aligned with the organisation’s governance needs. Participants will learn the intricacies of preparation, note-taking, and drafting, ensuring they leave with actionable strategies to produce professional minutes that align with governance standards and organisational needs.
Syllabus
Understanding minutes and the role of the company secretary
- What are minutes
- Why minutes matter
- The role of the minute-taker and company secretary
Preparing for the meeting
- Understanding the purpose and agenda
- Reviewing previous minutes
- Reviewing supporting documents
- Aligning with governance documents
- Policies and procedures
During the meeting
- Recording attendance and apologies
- Effective listening and note-taking strategies
- Identifying and capturing key discussions, decisions and actions
- Clarity and professionalism
Drafting the minutes
- Structuring your draft
- Writing style
- Matters arising and actions
- Post-meeting process
- Governance and confidentiality
- Tools and checklists
Structure of the minutes – what goes where and why – Line-by-line Review
- Line-by-line review
- Examples of poorly drafted vs well-drafted minutes
Proofreading the minutes
- Techniques for ensuring accuracy
- Ensuring true representation
- Reviewing against statutory requirements and internal policies
- Strategies for effective review
Other post meeting tasks
- Circulating the minutes and actions, and obtaining approval
- Regulatory filings
Conclusion
- Recap of key takeaways
- Q&A session
- Course evaluation and feedback
How Virteffic Can Support Your Training Needs
At Virteffic Limited, we offer bespoke, interactive training solutions tailored to the unique needs of company secretaries, governance teams, and board members. Whether you’re an individual looking to enhance your skills or a business aiming to upskill your team, we provide practical, hands-on training that delivers real value.
Our courses cover key areas such as minute-taking mastery, corporate governance, and essential company secretarial skills. Led by Tess Price, an experienced industry professional with deep expertise across Jersey and Guernsey, our training sessions go beyond theory. They are designed to empower participants with actionable insights, practical knowledge, and the confidence to excel in their roles, making them highly effective in navigating today’s governance challenges.
At Virteffic, we pride ourselves on creating engaging and flexible training experiences tailored to your goals. Whether delivered in-person or virtually, our sessions are interactive, insightful, and adaptable to your needs. Reach out to us today to discover how we can help you or your team thrive in the ever-changing world of corporate governance.
What sets Virteffic apart?
At Virteffic, we understand that effective governance requires more than theory – it demands practical skills, tailored solutions, and real-world expertise. Our trainers are seasoned professionals with hands-on experience across industries, offering practical advice and solutions based on real-world scenarios. Participants gain actionable strategies and best practices they can apply immediately.
Our sessions are highly engaging, incorporating real scenario examples, exercises, and open discussions to ensure participants develop skills they can use from day one. We can tailor our programmes to your organisation’s specific needs, whether it’s introductory sessions for new board members, advanced governance workshops, or sector-specific training.
We offer virtual, in-person, and hybrid options to suit your schedule and location, delivering training across the Channel Islands, the UK, and beyond.
Find out more
Discover the perfect course for your team on the Virteffic Training page, and get in touch to discuss your organisation’s specific training needs. Simply complete our request form to receive a fixed-fee estimate tailored to your needs. Let’s discuss how we can support your organisation’s training needs. Get in touch with us today and take the first step towards more efficient governance.
