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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.

March 2015
eNews Monthly
Area Happenings
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Greater Houston Neighborhood Associations

Formerly known as Cypress Creek United Civic Associations, the Greater Houston Neighborhood Associations (GHNA) is an educational organization with the mission to serve neighborhoods throughout the communities of Harris County and surrounding areas. Their membership includes homeowner associations and the businesses that serve them. 

The mission statement of GHNA is To serve as the steward to preserve, protect, and improve neighborhood integrity throughout the communities of Harris County, Texas, and surrounding areas.”  Throughout the year, GHNA provides access to educational opportunities to their membership including publishing a regular newsletter, The Clairon, and conducting mini-seminars. 

On March 28th GHNA will hold its 29th Annual Seminar and Trade Show from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Northwest Freeway.

The day will start with a buffet breakfast followed by the education sessions.  Then attendees will get to enjoy a nice lunch and spend some time walking through the trade show area.  C.I.A. Services will also have a booth at the Trade Show and we hope you can stop by!

C.I.A. Services President Ralph Troiano was once again invited to be seminar presenter.  This year, Ralph is pleased to be presenting two seminars: Boot Camp I and Boot Camp II which will cover the basic and advanced topics every board member needs.

Click here to visit their website for more information about the organization or their events.

Federal Tax Return Programs
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Did you know that there are tax return programs available to qualified individuals?  The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $58,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.    

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.    

If you think you may qualify or would like more information, you can contact one of the IRS-certified volunteers at beyondcareers2@gmail.com or visit Free Tax Prep Help on the IRS website.

Seminar Series
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We are pleased to announce our 2015 schedule for the C.I.A. Services Seminar Series.  We will again present seven classroom seminars and one webinar throughout the year - each at multiple locations with a total of 28 training sessions.  Click here to read the seminar descriptions and see the schedlue.  

Our core group of seminars will be back. 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

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.  You can attend our one-hour webinar right from home!  

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Understanding Collections & Financial Reports

The first half of this seminar will cover all the steps involved in successful assessment collections. Since not everyone pays on time, we’ll get into late fees, liens, payment plans, bankruptcy and all the legal remedies. The second half of the seminar deals with reading and understanding your financial reports. We’ll trace the flow of money throughout the reports so you’ll never be in the dark when staring at all those numbers.

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

03/10/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

03/19/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

03/24/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

Humble

 

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Community Website Administrator Training Webinar

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.

03/12/15 – Thursday

6 – 7 pm

Webinar

 

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Board Member Orientation

This seminar is a must for all new Board members and a great refresher for seasoned veterans. It will help you get up to speed quickly by understanding your responsibilities and authorities. We’ll review the documents and laws that govern the way you do business. We’ll give you an overview of the governing documents, basis of authority, organizational roles, responsibilities & authorities, conduct of meetings, and we’ll cover insurance and taxes.

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

04/09/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

04/14/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

Humble

04/23/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

 

Community Spotlight
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Diamond Ridge Property Owners 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:

  • March - Diamond Ridge Property Owners Association - Bandera Office - Megan Lamb
  • February - Riverwalk Propery Owners Association - North Office - Linda Morris
  • January - The Lakefront Association - Southwest Office - Gina Victor
  • December - The Lakes at Edgewater Estates Homeowners Association - Southwest Office - Nicole Toland
  • November - Kenswick Trace Homeowners Association - North Office - Jennifer Northington
  • October - Fairfax Village Homeowners Association - North Office - Sandy Castro
  • September - Belleau Wood Civic Club - North Office - Colline Chavera
  • August - Eastpoint Subdivision Homeowners Association - North Office - Kim Cowart

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

New Communities
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The Lakes of Williams Ranch Owners Association

C.I.A. Services is please to announce our newest community, The Lakes of Williams Ranch will be joining us this month. 

The Lakes of Williams Ranch is a natural beauty in the heart of the Brazos River countryside with luxury homes, guard gated entry, generous lakes with glistening fountains, beautiful trees, and the brightest stars in Texas. The community currently has 20 luxury homes and is located in Richmond, Texas at Williams Way.  

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 March.

  • Park Place Townhomes Homeowners Association— 25 years
  • Hunterwood Village I Homeowners Association— 18 years
  • Colony Grant Homeowners Association— 15 years
  • Fairfax Village Homeowners Association— 12 years
  • Summerwood Commercial Property Association— 9 years
  • Cross Creek Ranch Community Association— 7 years
  • Brays Forest Patio Homes Maintenance Fund — 6 years

Our goal has always been to create a positive, long term relationship with all of our client communities. We are very proud to be managing all of these communities.

Employee Corner
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Anniversaries

We would like to congratulate several employees on their anniversaries with C.I.A. Services. 

Dan Barr, a multi-faceted support staffer and stockholder at our Southwest Office, celebrates his 11 year anniversary with C.I.A. Services this month.  Dan has extensive experience in the commercial insurance industry and coordinates insurance matters for our clients.

Priscilla Aleman is celebrating her 7 year anniversary.  Priscilla is a stockholder and serves our Southwest Office as Support Staff wearing many hats.

Candace Look is celebrating her 6th anniversary with us.  Candace is a stockholder and Community Manager in our Southwest Office.

Congratulations to Sally Lorkhe on her one year anniversary with the company.  We look forward to many more years!

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.