In a message dated 02-04-19 17:44:54 EDT, John Seitter wrote:

<< I would respectfully disagree.  On one hand, at least on our board, the
 recording secretary is a voting member of the board and actually a member of
 the executive committee.  The use of audio tape frees this person from the
 tedious task of taking notes and allows them to actively participate in the
 board meeting.  Also, the person who is taking the notes is often subjective.
  An audio copy of the boards activities assures that all actions by the
 individual board members are accurately recorded.  This is especially
 important concerning the legal and fiduciary responsibility of the board.  I
 say run the tape. >>

I agree with the above.  At the same time, as has been pointed out, producing
a written summary, abstract (certainly a transcript) from a tape recording
can be a time-consuming, tedious task--more time-consuming than just taking
minutes by hand, however subjectively, and editing afterward.  I like the
idea of taping a meeting either way, so that a designated minutes-taker
(however that person is selected) can use the tape to check the accuracy and
completeness of notes.  The latter strategy probably is a good compromise for
most circumstances, but it depends on how important a meeting is deemed to
be.  You can archive the tapes so that the accuracy of the written summary
can be checked later in the event of any dispute or confusion.

I'm wondering about the original inquiry which prompted this thread, however.
 I read the verb "record" to mean taking notes and writing them up afterward,
whereas some assumed it meant "tape-record", and the concern seemed to be
with whose responsibility it should be to perform the task.  The issue of
exactly who has to set up a tape recorder and makes sure it's working
properly seems like a minor concern.

It reminds me of a Museum-L thread from several years ago, when someone asked
how to store "records."  After some audiophiles debated whether to store them
horizontally or vertically, as I recall, it turned out that the original
request wasn't about phonograph recordings at all--just documents in general,
mostly paper.

(Language can be fun.  Just don't get me started on kiosks.)

David Haberstich

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