Depends entirely on what type of organization we are talking about here, but
you may want to check the Uniform Commercial Code for private enterprise and
corporations.  Otherwise, individual states may regulate business and
non-profit entities under any number of rubrics: fraternal organizations,
limited partnerships, community non-profits, etc.  Business guidelines for
501(c)3 organizations are limited at the federal level to revenue,
expenditure and tax records, but audits require standard business practices,
so you might check with the state regulations on incorporation, and the
state offices where this occurs, usually the Secretary of State's office,
and the retention period applied through that state office. Depending on the
state, local regulations may also apply, not to mention any regulations that
apply to a specific type of industry or business relationship.

 

Complicated question, complicated answer. Perhaps the sheer complexity
should lead one to conclude that to be on the safe side, conserving these
seminal and foundational records are a)archival (based on appraisal) and b)
permanent within the organization, whether or not anybody else says so.

My 2 cents worth.

A.S.Elizabeth Fairfax, MA, CA
Island County Records and Information Management Program
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
x5569


-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Thys, Robert
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 8:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RM] Articles of Incorporation

I have been looking into the retention of bylaws, charters and articles of
incorporation. I could not find any law or regulation that specifically
states the length of time these documents should be retained . . . 

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