A memorandum (memo) is a document that is less formal than that of a business letter and is used internally to communicate a brief message.
Activity: You are required to prepare the memo below.
The documents normally used in preparing for and conducting meetings are: notice, agenda, Chairman’s agenda, and minutes. The Secretary prepares these documents, in consultation with the Chairman.
A notice gives information about the organisation or club hosting the meeting, the venue, time, date and type of meeting, and possibly the purpose of the meeting. It should be sent to all who are invited to attend at least 14 days before the meeting. This enables people to make the necessary plans to attend.
Since a notice is short, it is convenient to use A5 paper in landscape orientation when producing it.
Sample Notice of a Meeting
The list of items that are to be discussed in a meeting is called an agenda. The agenda lists these items in the order in which they are to be dealt with. It serves as a guide for all involved of the progress of the meeting.
The same items that are listed on the ordinary agenda will be listed on this document. However, the special feature of the chairman’s agenda is that there is additional space on the right side of the page for the Chairman to make notes.
The page may or may not be divided with the use of brackets. This document should be prepared on letter-sized paper.
The minutes of a meeting give an overview of the final decisions that were made at the meeting. The minutes should always be precise and concise.
The minutes are usually in the same order as the agenda. This document should also be prepared on letter-sized paper