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To be asked to take minutes?

283 replies

Bottlesoflove · 19/04/2017 09:09

I went to a monthly meeting I had not attended before, I am in a professional role and I work in a team of three, with two other male colleagues (all of the same "rank"). All three of us were there. My boss said the secretary couldn't come so could I take minutes? I had never been to one of these meetings before so not aware of the "format" they usually take, plus I have never taken minutes before, plus I didn't know the names of many of the people in the room... so I said "oh I don't know, not sure I would do a great job, maybe x or y could do it?" (My two other male colleagues - both been in the job slightly longer and would have attended this meeting before). At which point my boss said begrudgingly "don't worry I'll do it" and made me feel bad for making a senior do it. My two male colleagues just sat there.

Am I reading too much into this, or is there a hint of everyday sexism here? I was one of the only females there. It seemed he would rather make a big point of doing it himself than asking another professional male to do it, even though they were junior to him...🤔

OP posts:
Genius46 · 27/04/2017 10:45

Meeting Secretary is the third part of the chair-treasurer triset. The chair was offerering you an advance position.
Just ask for the previous minutes before attending a meeting, or for a first meeting, agree format, terms, and conditions. Type heading of Meeting title, date, time and place. Add members attending and status, reasons for not attending, and others not attending. Then points: reading and agreement to previous meeting. Other points in order of priority then any other business( aob). Sign as Company/Department/Division/Group/Section/Meeting/Team Secretary pp normal secretary.

This should be taught in schools; more important than cookery, games, woodwork. Good working.

Stormtreader · 27/04/2017 10:47

Im not sure what your point is there?

stonecircle · 27/04/2017 11:39

Genius - you are talking about a Board meeting. I doubt very much that the team meeting the op went to had a Treasurer. And there is a world of difference between a company secretary and a meeting secretary.

The op was effectively being asked to take notes not interpret company law, advise on governance issues etc as a company secretary would.

StealthPolarBear · 27/04/2017 14:46

" . The chair was offerering you an advance position. "
In what way? Please do expand

chestylarue52 · 27/04/2017 17:43

I haven't rtft.

I'm also in a professional corporate role and often get attempts to be co opted into clearing glasses, making coffee, taking minutes.

I usually smile benignly at my male colleagues and say 'oh, one of you do it this time, I'll do it next time'

Then if they do I'll happily take my turn next time.

Stormtreader · 27/04/2017 18:00

^ this is genius

StealthPolarBear · 27/04/2017 21:15

Yes, makes the point nicely

StealthPolarBear · 27/04/2017 21:16

Chesty but maybe if you take the opportunities to make coffees uou could be a professional batista in a year or two

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