MINUTES

Minutes are a unit of time equal to sixty seconds, commonly used in everyday timekeeping and scheduling. In the International System of Units (SI), the minute is a non-SI unit accepted for use with SI and is defined as 60 seconds. The symbol min is often used to denote minutes, and durations are frequently expressed in minutes (for example, “30 minutes”). A standard hour comprises 60 minutes.

Minutes also refer to the written record of a meeting or formal proceedings. Meeting minutes summarize the date and time, attendees and absences, the agenda items, key points of discussion, decisions reached, motions made and voted upon, and any action items with assigned responsibilities and deadlines. Minutes may be presented as a concise summary or as a more detailed narrative, and they may note topics discussed without verbatim transcripts. They serve as an official record for participants and non-participants and can be used for accountability, compliance, and historical reference.

Preparation and use: Minutes are typically prepared by a secretary or designated minutes-taker during or after a meeting. A draft is circulated for review and corrections, then approved at a subsequent meeting, after which they become part of the organization’s archival records. In many jurisdictions and organizations, minutes help verify decisions, implement actions, and provide legal or administrative documentation of proceedings. Different organizations may adopt varying formats, levels of detail, and terminology for their minutes.