I received this question from Robyn in Australia:
I am a Secretary of an incorporated non-profit body. If there are corrections to the minutes, duly approved, how do I record these corrections? In the old days, one would hand-write changes into the hard copy minute book. What should happen now, when minutes are kept on the computer, not in a minute book. Would appreciate your advice.
Answer:
You are quite right about “the old days” – much simpler in some ways.
In today’s world of computers though, I suggest the following:
1. At a duly constituted meeting, agree that the minutes need to be altered and authorise the Secretary (you) to make the alterations of the original minutes document on the computer.
2. Record that decision and the authority to change the document in the minutes of THAT meeting – where the decision to change is made.
3. Go back to the original document – make the change and highlight it with a comment that this alteration was made later following a decision made at the meeeting of (date)
4. At the next meeting, report what you did and provide a copy for the chair (and anyone else) to see what you did.
That way there is a clear path of action and you, nor anyone else, can be accused later of altering the minutes inappropriately.
I hope that helps.
Please Note: The author accepts no responsibility for anything which occurs directly or indirectly as a result of using any of the suggestions or procedures detailed in this blog. This is not, and should not be taken as legal advice. The author is not a lawyer. All suggestions and procedures are provided in good faith as general guidelines only and should be used in conjunction with appropriate advice relevant legislation, constitutions, rules, laws, by-laws, and with reasonable judgement. If you are in any doubt, seek appropriate advice.
David Julian Price
2 thoughts on “How do you amend minutes that have already been approved?”
So if a request has been approved by Body Corp meeting then the Secretary changes the approval when typing the Minutes that is illegal? She should have done a new meeting and changed the meeting approval
The secretary cannot change a decision of the group whether she agrees with it or not.