Teams

Creating Records at Home, Part I: Microsoft Teams

by Erica Rice [Edited 7/16/20: This post was updated to include new information about applying retention policies in Teams.] The great Dr. Patricia C. Franks once wrote, “Records and information managers who understand the way work is conducted in their organizations have a better chance of identifying and providing intellectual and/or physical control over the…

Emergency Preparedness for Local Governments

It is that time of the year again: hurricane season started on June 1 and runs through November 30. Historically, the peak threat for the Texas coast is in August and September. However, hurricanes have struck the Texas coast during every month of hurricane season. Additionally, due to COVID-19, your agency may be reevaluating your…

Documenting the Premature Destruction of Local Government Records

We live in Texas – the state that can rightfully boast of being susceptible to nearly every kind of extreme weather scenario. In this young century, we’ve endured hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, wildfires, blistering droughts, flooding: you name it – we’ve experienced it. Texas is also not immune from human errors like electrical fires, accidental…

Customizing Your Local Government Retention Schedule

Post for state agencies coming soon. Local governments are afforded a lot of leeway when adopting TSLAC’s Local Government Schedules. It may seem daunting at first to familiarize yourself with, and meet the mandatory minimums, of 100 or even 1000 record series, but it doesn’t have to be. Customization is still king Before September 1,…

FAQ: Are We In Compliance?

Updated: November 13, 2020 If you work for a local government and have interacted with us, there’s a good chance you’ve heard us talk about whether or not you’re “in compliance.” We can make it sound more fun and call it the paperwork polka, the due diligence dance, or the Texas 3-step! But regardless of…

RIM Month Fun: Memes

SLRM likes to make a fun post every April to celebrate RIM month. In the past, we’ve done Emoji Retention and RIM Mad Libs. It’s been a difficult RIM Month 2020 – with event cancellations, folks working from home, and everyone figuring out new workflows to serve Texans. We could all use a mirthful chuckle…

COVID-19 Records and How Long to Keep Them

by Erica Rice [Updated 7/6/2020]: On July 2, 2020, the U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued guidance requiring that all Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant documentation be retained for 5 years. Visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website for more information about CARES funds. The analysts here at TSLAC…