Professional Community Association Management Since 1984
customercare@ciaservices.com
Houston 713-981-9000
San Antonio 210-490-0000
Home > Resources > Library > Archived Newsletter

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.

June 2015
eNews Monthly
84th Legislative Session Update
Image

C.I.A. Services Offers Special Seminar

The Texas Legislature closed their 84th session on June 1st.  While this session was not like the tornado that hit in 2012, there are some new laws that will impact homeowners associations.  C.I.A. Services will be presenting a special Legislative Update Seminar to review how these new laws impact homeowners associations in Texas.  We will explain the changes in a practical manner so that you will know how to implement any changes.  We hope you can join us. 

The seminar is being held concurrently on Tuesday, June 30th from 6:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m. at the 3 locations shown below.

  • Humble Area – North Office – 8811 FM 1960 Bypass, Suite 200
  • San Antonio Area – Great Room at the Eilan Residences – 17803 La Cantera Terrace
  • Southwest Houston Area – Southwest Office – 3000 Wilcrest, Suite 200

Space is limited and advance registration is required.  You are welcome to attend any location.  Please register by sending an email to seminars@ciaservices.com.  Be sure to include the location you will be attending in your email.

We will provide deli sandwiches so you won’t have to rush home for dinner before the seminars.  The knowledge and insight you will gain will be well worth your time.  Hope you can join us!

Accomplishments
Image

Better Business Bureau Recognition

C.I.A. Services was one of 314 companies recognized at the annual Better Business Bureau Awards of Excellence event on May 13, 2015.  The BBB Education Foundation recognizes businesses for their commitment to ethics, overall excellence, and quality in the workplace.  For a complete list of the winners, click here to visit the Better Business Bureau website.

This year, C.I.A. Services was recognized as a 2015 Winner of Distinction.  We are very pleased to add this award to our collection from previous years.  In 2012 and 2013 we were Distinction winners and just last year we were a Pinnacle winner.  This is the fourth consectuive year for us to be recognzied by Better Business Bureau (BBB) for service excellence.              

Applicants are required to answer a series of questions about their company.  The questions range from describing their company in detail to sharing activities and programs the company is involved in that result in the betterment of the industry, community or a charity.

We are very proud to once again be amoung the companies honored.

Community Highlight
Image

Cross Creek Ranch Foundation Committee
by Kristen Craig

The Cross Creek Community Association has a Foundation Committee that is organized to oversee the administration of funding from the Foundation Fee.  

The purposes of the Foundation Committee and the Foundation Fees are to invest in the future of Cross Creek Ranch and the surrounding community, to supplement and complement the functions of the Association and to enhance services and resources to the community through the sponsorship of programs, activities and events in and around Cross Creek Ranch.  Some of the ways the Foundation Fees might be used to assist the Association, non-profit entities, or community projects are listed below.   

  1. Preservation and maintenance of natural areas, wildlife preserves, archaeological sites, areas of historical or cultural significance or similar conservation areas, and sponsorship of educational programs and activities which contribute to the overall understanding, appreciation and preservation of the natural environment at Cross Creek Ranch;
  2. Programs and activities which serve to promote a sense of community within Cross Creek Ranch, such as recreational leagues, cultural programs, educational programs, festivals and holiday celebrations and activities, a community computer network, and recycling programs;
  3. Social services, community outreach programs and other charitable causes;
  4. Enhancement and/or improvement of infrastructure within Cross Creek Ranch;
  5. Lifestyle enhancing programs such as studio art and art appreciation, music, craft, nature and vocational classes;
  6. Enhancement of existing programs within an established institution, or the funding of programs that are entirely independent of established institution, such as scholarships; and
  7. Any other expenditure, service, enhancement, improvement, or program agreed to by the Board.

The Cross Creek Ranch Foundation Committee has funded projects such as Residential Boy Scout Troops, Huggins Elementary Aquatic & Reptile Terrarium, Lamar Educational Awards, Katy ISD Educational Foundation Events.  

Recently, the Committee sponsored the Cinco Ranch High School Robotics Team, the “CRyptonite’s”.  The CRyptonite’s have attained national recognition and were ranked fourth in the Tesla Division! Larry Gros, CRHS Robotics Team Booster Club President/Engineering Mentor stated, This program would not be possible without the generous support of our Corporate Sponsors and volunteer engineering mentors.  We truly appreciate that you value STEM education preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to take on the world’s toughest challenges.”  The team was all smiles at the competition!

The Foundation Committee has been a huge success and supporter of the community and surrounding areas! We look forward to seeing the future sponsored projects for the community!  

Fun Times
Image

2015 Relay for Life
by Roseann Ashe

Relay for Life is a life changing event that gives everyone in communities across the nation a chance to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones that lost the battle, and to fight against the disease.

Once again, C.I.A. Services participated in the Bandera Relay for Life.  Our team, the C.I.A. Services Crusaders, included staff from our Bandera office. This year we raised money at our campsite by hosting a Cupcake Bar and a raffle of several items.  We are so pleased to announce that The Crusaders raised $3700.00!

Due to the inclement weather, the 2015 Bandera Relay for Life event was held in the Bandera High School gymnasium. The track was setup in the competition gym and the campsites were setup in the practice gym.  The event began with opening ceremonies and introductions of each participating cancer survivor in attendance. After the introductions, each survivor circled the track in one direction, their caregivers circled in the opposite direction and they met up together on the opposite side of the track. Then all teams gathered and the team captains introduced the team and their way of raising money for The Cure. Throughout the night all teams had at least one team member walking the track.  The participants donate one full night to walk for the cause to symbolize the fact that cancer doesn’t sleep.

We were one of many teams making the 2015 Relay for Life event a success and are already looking forward to next year!

Seminar Series
Image

Our 2015 schedule for the C.I.A. Services Seminar Series is now available!  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! 

Image

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.

06/29/15 – Monday

6 – 7 pm

Webinar

 

Image

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.

07/07/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

007/09/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Humble

07/23/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

Community Spotlight
Image

Fairway Pointe 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:

  • June - Fairway Pointe Community Association - Southwest Office - Libby Hodges
  • May - Eilan Condominium Association, Inc. - Bandera Office - Ralph Troiano
  • April - Summerwood Community Association - North Office - Laura Tate
  • 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

 

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
Image

Oak Hill Homeowners Assocition

We are proud to welcome our newest community, Oak Hill Homeowners into the C.I.A. Services family.  

Oak Hill is a private acreage community with 133 lots located off of Lee Road in Humble.  The management team transitioning Oak Hill H.O.A. is Jennifer Northington, Community Manager and Kris Batts, Administrative Assistant.

Community Anniversaries
Image

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

  • Oak Cliff Place Homeowners Association— 23 years
  • Copper Creek Civic Improvement Association— 18 years
  • Telfair Community Association— 9 years
  • Kenswick Trace Homeowners Association — 7 years
  • Woodbend Pines Homeowners Association - 2 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
Image

Benefit for Mary Schwope
by Brandi Brack

The San Antonio office held a barbecue benefit and silent auction in honor of their coworker, Mary Schwope on May 30th.  Mary was diagnosed with stage 4 Carcinoid Cancer. While there is no cure for this very rare type of cancer, Mary is currently on an experimental drug trial that will hopefully slow down the disease.

Mary continues to work while undergoing treatments, in part to maintain her medical insurance.  The benefit was held to help offset her additional medical expenses.  We are pleased to announce that over $3,000 was raised at the benefit!  A GoFundMe account has also been set up for additional donations.  If you would like to donate, please click here.

Many members from our San Antonio area communities, as well as employees, their families, vendors, and friendly strangers stopped by and were part of the benefit’s huge success.  We wish to thank everyone that donated their time, services, or silent auction items.  A special thanks must be sent to the San Antonio office Social Committee that made it all happen: Brandi Brack and Ana Rodriguez.

Always the first person to greet you with a smile, Mary has remained positive throughout this entire process.  “No matter what the future is, my friends and family have been very supportive.  Also, I must say that through all of this, God has blessed me and I have so much to be thankful for.” 

We are honored to be a part of Mary’s life and will continue to keep her in our thoughts and prayers.

Image

Anniversaries

  • Congratulations to Gloria Bell on her 26th anniversary with C.I.A. Services. Gloria is a stockholder at our North Office providing a variety of staff support.  Gloria is a mainstay we all depend on and has been helping us since before a few of our employees were born!
  • Congratulations to Anna Quiroga on her 8th anniversary with the company.  Anna is a stockholder and the Lead Community Specialist in our North Office ensuring the best customer service everyday!
  • Congratulations to Patrick Sheffield on his 7th anniversary with the company. Patrick is a stockholder at our Southwest Office where he is a Maintenance Coordinator for several communities.
  • Also congratulations to Annette McConnell on her 7th anniversary with C.I.A. Services. Annette is also a stockholder and the Office Manager at our Bandera Office.  
  • Also, congratulations to Roseann Ashe her 7th anniversary with the company. Roseanne is a stockholder at our Bandera Office and where she is an Assistant Manager.
  • Congratulations to Dwayne Ring on his 5th anniversary with the company. Dwayne is a a Maintenance Coordinator in our Southwest Office and is our newest Stockholder!
  • Congratulations also goes out to Tonya PateSelena Ponce and Lani Foster for reaching their 1 year anniversary with the company.  Lani works onsite at the Telfair Office and Tonya and Selena are both Community Specialists 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.