What is the primary purpose of meeting minutes?

The primary purpose of meeting minutes is to record what occurred during the meeting. Meeting minutes serve as an official, written account that captures important details such as decisions made, discussions held, and action items assigned. By documenting these elements, minutes provide a reference for future meetings and help participants recall what was agreed upon. This can be crucial for maintaining accountability and ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the outcomes of the meeting.

In contrast, while discussing new policies may occur during a meeting, it is not the main function of meeting minutes. Additionally, meeting minutes do not double as an agenda or serve to provide feedback to participants; their role is solely to document the happenings of the meeting for record-keeping and reference.