Summaries of meetings go beyond informing attendees about what happened during the meeting or what has been discussed. They’re detailed documentation of important ideas and decisions made, useful for record-keeping, and can help provide a shared understanding of the meeting’s goals and objectives. A well-crafted summary email after a meeting lets attendees and stakeholders who were unable to join stay in the loop about the meeting’s outcomes.
Sending an email after a meeting is a common practice in most organizations. The email is typically sent by the meeting organizer or chairperson and includes a summary of the main points discussed during the meeting, as well as any decisions that were made. This email can be a valuable resource for attendees who were unable to attend the meeting, as well as for those who need a refresher on what was discussed.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Summary Email After a Meeting
The purpose of a summary email after meeting template is to provide a concise and clear overview of what happened during the meeting. It should include the following information:
- The date, time, and location of the meeting
- The names of the attendees
- A brief overview of the topics discussed
- Any decisions that were made
- Any action items that were assigned
- The next steps that will be taken
In addition to the above information, the email may also include any relevant attachments, such as meeting minutes or presentations. The email should be written in a clear and concise style, and it should be easy to skim and find the information that you need.
Here is a sample summary email after meeting template that you can use:
**Subject: Summary of Meeting on [Date]**
Hi team,
I’m writing to provide a summary of the meeting that we had on [Date]. The meeting was held at [Location] from [Start Time] to [End Time]. The following people attended the meeting:
- [Attendee Name]
- [Attendee Name]
- [Attendee Name]
During the meeting, we discussed the following topics:
- [Topic 1]
- [Topic 2]
- [Topic 3]
We made the following decisions:
- [Decision 1]
- [Decision 2]
- [Decision 3]
We also assigned the following action items:
- [Action Item 1] (Assigned to [Person])
- [Action Item 2] (Assigned to [Person])
- [Action Item 3] (Assigned to [Person])
The next steps are as follows:
- [Next Step 1]
- [Next Step 2]
- [Next Step 3]
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Tips for Writing a Great Summary Email After a Meeting
Here are a few tips for writing a great summary email after meeting template:
- Keep it concise. The email should be long enough to provide all of the necessary information, but it should not be so long that people lose interest. Aim for a length of no more than two or three paragraphs.
- Use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand.
- Structure the email logically. Use headings and subheadings to make the email easy to skim and find the information that you need.
- Proofread the email carefully before sending it. Make sure that there are no errors in grammar or spelling.
By following these tips, you can write a summary email after meeting template that is clear, concise, and informative. This email will help to keep everyone on the same page and moving forward.
Summaries of meetings, when done right, are also a great way to build a shared understanding of the meeting’s goals and objectives, which contributes to achieving the desired outcomes. The content of the summary can also be used to write meeting minutes, or can even be repurposed for other types of communication, such as presentations or reports.