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Although I can see the benefit of taking minutes at meetings, as so many
others have pointed out, I don't feel they justify what is given up by
taking minutes. If you are the minute taker, you give up:
1) the ability to participate 100% in the meeting. It's really hard to
debate a point fully, if you are worried about taking notes.
2) the perception that you are equal to the other participants in the
meeting. Let's face it - minute taking is usually a revolving task that each
member takes turns doing, or is delegated to a secretarial type person to do
at each meeting. We are trying to break the stereotype of technical writers
as glorified typists or secretaries. (Actually, that has never been my
experience, but I've heard a lot about it. I have noticed though, that women
usually get assigned to this task, but I wouldn't want to accuse corporate
America of being sexist ;-)
Minutes for meetings are extremely important. If I were in your position, I
would approach the manager and praise him/her for wanting minutes for every
meeting - then I would suggest that either each member of the meetings take
turns, or each department that participates in the meetings takes turns,
etc. Other meeting jobs, such as coffee, setting up the agenda, booking the
boardroom, facilitating the meeting, being time-keeper, etc. are also tasks
that meeting members can take turns at performing. Each player on the field
is then equal.
That's my 2 cents worth.
Suzette Leeming
Technical Writer
Markham, Ontario
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