•Type up your minutes immediately after the meeting ends. It's best to do this while the events are still fresh in your mind. It's also important that participants get a copy of their action items as soon as possible after the meeting.
•Sit as close as possible to the chair of the meeting. This will allow you to hear everything and to ask for clarification without having to raise your voice.
•Ask people to write down their motions so you don't need to record them on the spot.
•Keep the minutes filed in a safe place.
•Don't be afraid to interrupt and ask for clarification at any time.
•Minutes are very important. They are saved and might be referred to for years and years to come. If it is a legal matter, for example, someone's reputation may depend on it.
•Read certain parts of Robert's Rules of Order, in particular the section on being a secretary.
•Write things as they happen. If the same topic is brought up twice, do not group them together.