.....Test Your Note Taking Savvy, by Donna Deeprose

.ASSESSMENT:

1)	Notes from a business meeting should include:

	Topics discussed and actions to be taken.
	Attendees, topics, highlights of discussion, assignments, and deadlines.
	Everything said at the meeting, word for word, to the extent you can capture it.

2)	In a formal meeting that follows parliamentary procedure, minutes should include:

	Everything said at the meeting, word for word, to the extent you can capture it.
	Motions made and outcomes of votes taken.
	Attendees, agenda items, highlights of discussion, motions and their outcomes, actions to be taken, by whom and when.

3)	If you are assigned to take notes at a meeting and you don't understand a crucial point someone is making, should you:

	During the meeting, ask the person to clarify it.
	After the meeting, ask the person to clarify it.
	Record the person's words as you heard them.

4)	To prepare yourself to be the note taker at an upcoming meeting, you should:

	Find out in advance who is going to be there and what positions they will take on the issues to be discussed.
	Read the agenda, relevant reports, and notes/minutes from previous meetings.
	Practice by taking notes while watching television talk shows.

5)	For a note taker, the most important skill is:

	Listening.
	Logical thinking.
	Shorthand or -- at least -- clear, fast handwriting.

6)	When you are the note taker at a business meeting, it is OK to participate in the discussion:

	Never.
	If you ask someone else to take notes on what you say.
	If you also participate in making and implementing the group's decisions.

7)	If you are the note taker at a committee meeting and you don't know everyone's name, it's a good idea to:

	Ask for help in creating a seating diagram as people arrive and sit down.
	Ask attendees to identify themselves before they speak.
	Pass around an attendance sheet and refer to that.

8)	It's OK to use a tape recorder at a meeting or lecture:

	Never.
	As long as you turn it off when sensitive subjects are discussed.
	If the meeting attendees or the lecturer agrees.

9)	When speakers are talking too fast to capture all their ideas or when several people are talking at once, the note taker should:

	Ask them to slow down and speak one at a time.
	Focus on the outcome of the topic under discussion.
	Wait for a pause and then ask them to recap what they said.

10)	The best format for taking notes is:

	Outline
	Paragraph
	Map

All of a sudden note taking is a hot topic. Maybe it's because more decisions are being made by teams these days, and that means more meetings. Whatever the reason, you are probably being asked to take notes more than ever before. Take this quiz to test your skills.

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