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Archived Newsletters

Every month, we issue an electronic newsletter, eNews Monthly, to keep clients informed about Association items, spotlight clients, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know what is happening with the company. Old issues of eNews Monthly are available on our Library page.

May 2016
eNews Monthly
Did you know?
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Memorial Day - A Historical Look
by Angela Douglas

To many of us, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to Summer, one which many people celebrate by hosting barbeques and backyard parties.  But the celebration of Memorial Day started off on a way different note.  All the way back in the late 1860’s when America established its first National Cemeteries, many communities would hold a springtime tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, decorating their graves. Thus, it was initially called ‘Decoration Day’. 

It is unclear exactly where and when the tradition started, but on May 5, 1862 General John A. Logan, who led an organization for Northern Civil War Veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later in the month: the 30th of May, as it was a date not marked by any particular battle.  By 1890, most states held an official state holiday to observe Decoration Day.  However, northern and southern states generally celebrated on different days, until after World War I.

After World War I, Decoration Day evolved to Memorial Day so as to honor all American Military personnel who died in all wars.  It continued to be celebrated on May 30th for decades as declared by General Logan in 1862.  In 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, NY as the official birthplace of Memorial Day because they were the first to hold a citywide event where businesses closed.  It wasn’t until 1968 when congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that established Memorial Day on the last Monday in May.  However, it was not declared an official federal holiday until 1971 when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect.

"Did you know, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00pm local time each year on Memorial Day?"

Cities across the nation celebrate with parades incorporating military personnel and veteran’s organizations.  Many homeowners associations open their pools during Memorial Day Weekend as a nod to the start of the season.  Some hold parades and other events to celebrate both the start to summer and Memorial Day.   No matter how you celebrate Memorial Day, we hope everyone has a safe, fun and memorable day!

Amenity Devices Online
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At C.I.A. Services, we make it easy for residents to get their amenity devices. Residents can submit their requests for all amenity access devices on our website.  Any special instructions, such as photos for passes, deposit payments, or device fees will be given during the registration process.   Once submitted online, the information is immediately sent electronically to the appropriate personnel and the device will be prepared for pick up or mail.  If payment is required, the device is released upon payment.  Residents can apply for most devices online including the following:

  • Gate remotes
  • Electronic fobs/cards
  • Tennis court keys
  • Pool passes/tags/wristbands

Now that pool season is upon us, this is a great option for residents needing their pool passes.  Online convenience is just a click away!

Volunteer Spotlight
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New Forest Homeowners Association - Chad Parker
by Valerie Lehr

Meet Chad Parker, President of New Forest Homeowners Association.  Chad, his wife Angela, and their family moved into New Forest over Labor Day weekend 2014.  He is the father of 5 children: Chris, Ben, Kaedon, Kelley, and Kate. In 2012, Mr. Parker graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Master’s Degree of Science in Social Work.  He is a Licensed Master Social Worker for the state of Texas and is currently serving as the Administrative Pastor of Royalwood Church. Wow, what a busy man! 

As another way to give back to his community, Mr. Parker ran for a position on the board of directors of the New Forest Homeowners Association in November 2014.  He was elected and served as the Association’s Treasurer for a year.  Last November, Mr. Parker was named President of the Association. 

Mr. Parker has been instrumental in ensuring Association’s funds are being spent wisely.  He is always willing to learn new things and ask questions about things with which he or other board members are not familiar.  One of the goals as president that he has already achieved is to conduct an organized and efficient board meeting that addresses associaiton business while allowing all property owners the opportunity to provide input about New Forest.  Currently, Mr. Parker is working with the rest of the Board on ways to enhance the beauty of the association’s entrances and expand both the pool and the playground areas.  

I would like to thank Mr. Parker for being such a valuable member of the community, board of directors and an overall outstanding person.

Seminar Series
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We are pleased to present the C.I.A. Services Seminar Series.  During our series, we present seven classroom seminars and one webinar throughout the year - each at multiple locations for a total of 28 training sessions. Click here to read the full seminar descriptions and see the schedule.  

Each seminar concentrates on the practical aspects of the topic and provides board members with background knowledge to help them in their decision making. We consistently receive positive feedback on the content and presentation.

  • Board Member Orientation
  • Advanced Topics for Board Members
  • Meeting & Records - The Legal Requirements
  • Understanding Collections & Financial Reports
  • The Super Budgeting Process
  • Practical Deed Restriction Management
  • Essentials of Architectural Control
  • Community Website Administrator (Webinar)

Each two-hour seminar begins at 6:00 pm and we provide deli sandwiches in case you come straight from work.  You’ll leave with a wealth of practical information and a notebook for future reference.

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Practical Deed Restriction Management

Deed restriction management is one of the most difficult tasks handled by homeowners associations because it involves subjective decisions, homeowner’s property and emotions. This seminar covers the steps in deed restriction management and how a process can contain “intelligence” and common sense. We discuss the relation between deed restrictions and architectural control and give you examples of well crafted guidelines. We’ll provide the best approaches for handling the toughest problems. Practical deed restriction management requires clear communications and reasonable requirements.

Space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, please send an email to seminars@ciaservices.com.

05/05/16 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

05/12/16 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

05/16/16 – Monday

6 – 8 pm

Humble

 

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Community Website Administrator Training

This is the required training course for certification as a Community Website Administrator (CWSA) on the C.I.A Services web site (www.ciaservices.com). As a CWSA you’ll be able to maintain the pages for your community. You’ll be able to create news and events, update key personnel, add community information, display photos, conduct surveys and much more. Being a website administrator is very easy on www.ciaservices.com and you can do it from anywhere you have an Internet connection. All CWSA training is done by webinar in the comfort of your home.

Space is limited and advance registration is required.  To register, please send an email to seminars@ciaservices.com.

05/24/16 – Tuesday

6 – 7 pm

Webinar

 

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Essentials of Architectural Control

Your governing documents provide authority to regulate design and appearance of any construction, improvements or alterations within the community. This is a powerful authority with an obligation that it be used sensibly. This seminar will explain the range and limits of this authority, demonstrate the role of architectural guidelines, describe the interplay between deed restrictions issues and architectural issues, and touch on handling the tough problems.

06/07/16 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

06/09/16 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Humble

06/23/16 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

Community Spotlight
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Greensbrook Community Association

We are proud of every one of our communities so it is always hard to find just one to highlight. We start by having each of our Community Managers write a nomination for one of their communities. We then read them and take a vote. Here are our most recent selections:

  • May - Greensbrook Community Assoication - North Office - Frances McIntyre
  • April - Atascocita Timbers Homeowners Association - North Office - Linda Morris
  • March - Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council - North Office - Laura Tate
  • February - Homeowners Association of Timber Forest - North Office - Linda Morris
  • January - New Forest Homeowners Association - North Office - Valerie Lehr
  • December - River Park on the Brazos Property Owners Association - Southwest Office - Kim Moore

To see the full story on these communities and to see the past winners, visit the Community of the Month page on our site.

New Communities
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Mathom Landing H.O.A. and Rancho Verde Residential Community

We are pleased to announce two communities have joined our family of clients this month!

Mathom Landing Homeowners Association is our newest San Antonio community, located on Loop 1604 on the east side of San Antonio near Randolph Air Force Base. 

Rancho Verde Residential Community, Inc. is our newest Houston community and will be serviced out of our North Office.  Located in Channelview, this community of 477 homes is anticipated to be completely built out by the end of 2017.

Welcome to the family, we look forward to working with you and serving your needs for many years!

Community Anniversaries
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Every month we appreciate the communities that are celebrating their anniversaries with us. Here are the clients that started with us in May.

  • Bay Pointe Community Association — 17 years
  • Crystal Lake Property Owners Association — 16 years
  • Cinco Ranch Residential Association II— 8 years
  • Cinco Ranch Commercial Association II— 8 years
  • Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council — 8 years
  • Cypresswood Green Property Owners Association — 7 years
  • Atascocita Timbers Homeowners Association — 4 years
  • Bandera Falls Property Owners Association — 4 years
  • CrossRoads at Benders Landing Estates Homeowners Association - 2 years
  • Oak Hill Estates Homeowners Association - 1 year
Employee Corner
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Employee Anniversaries

We love to celebrate special milestones with our employees. In the Employee Corner of each eNews issue, we list all employees that have reached their 1 year anniversary with our company. Additionally, once an employee celebrates their 5th year, we will acknowledge them as a new stockholder and on their anniversary each year thereafter.  

  • Congratulations to Renea Miksch, an Executive Vice President, stockholder, Branch Manager and Community Manager at our North Office, on her 31st anniversary with C.I.A. Services.
  • Congratulations to Laura Tate, an Executive Vice President, stockholder and Community Manager at our North Office, on her 23rd anniversary with C.I.A. Services.
  • Congratulations to Margie De La Cruz, a stockholder at our Southwest Office that provides a variety of administrative support, on her 16th anniversary with C.I.A. Services.
  • Congratulations to Jessica Morfin on her 1st anniversary with us.  Jessica is a valuable member of our Home Improvement processing team in our North Office.
  • Congratulations to Leticia ’Letty’ Burchard on her 1st anniversary with  our San Antonio team.  Letty began as an administrative assistant and has recently been promoted to Community Manager.
  • Congratulations also to Cindy Tutor on her 1st anniversary.  Cindy is one of the many smiling voices you hear when calling our office as a Community Specialist in our North Office.
Read Past Issues of eNews Monthly

Every month, we issue an electronic newsletter, eNews Monthly, to keep clients informed about Association items, spotlight clients, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know what is happening with the company. Old issues of eNews Monthly are available on our Library page.