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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.

July 2015
eNews Monthly
Fun Times
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Riverfest
by Leann Bruton

Bandera Riverfest is always the last Saturday in June on the banks of the Medina River and C.I.A. Services celebrated its sixth year to participate in the festivities.  Thanks to the bountiful rains we have had, the river was up and the water was great.   

The activities included the Bandera Idol Competition, a car show, live bands, and food and beverage competitions.  The kayak races and watermelon eating contests provided more fun for festival goers.  

The barbecue competitors camped along the banks of the river and were cooking up a storm.  Our very own Randi Smith from the Bandera office and her husband Clayton were judges in several categories, including the Bloody Mary Competition and several divisions in barbecue.  Apparently the Bloody Mary Competition was quite popular because too many people were signed up and some were turned away, including Brandi Brack from the San Antonio office.  

The most exciting event for C.I.A. Services was The Anything That Floats Regatta.  Our entry this year was a rocket ship with a Captain America theme, designed by Ralph Troiano.  Tina Jameson piloted the ship and Melissa Arredondo tossed t-shirts to the crowd while others walked along the banks handing out t-shirts to many of the children.  

How did we do in the Regatta?  We won Best Overall – and 1st – and 2nd – and 3rd – AND last!  Did we smoke the competition?  Or were they too intimidated by our yearly showmanship to compete?  The threat of more rain might have had something to do with the missing entries, but C.I.A. Services was not deterred.  

Tune in next year to find out if we will once again present the greatest show on the Medina River.  See you there!

Volunteer Spotlight
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Pine Brook - Bob Flint
by Deniece Reyes

Robert (Bob) Flint is currently the Treasurer of the Pine Brook Community Association in the Clear Lake Area. With the goal to save the association money while ensuring the upkeep of the community, Bob has taken on a more active role when it comes to maintenance of the community.  Each year, Bob works very closely with the management team to update the annual asset list.  The asset list shows all planned and scheduled major replacements and repairs.  By being so heavily involved in this aspect of the community, Pine Brook has saved thousands of dollars.  Late last year, they were able to redirect those funds into a new community playground.

When we receive a complaint regarding maintenance in an area, Bob graciously meets with the homeowner to identify the problem and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. There is rarely a situation in the neighborhood that Bob does not know about or assist with.  His dedication and knowledge is a benefit to Pine Brook and to C.I.A. Services.  We are pleased to work with him!

Seminar Series
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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! 

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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.

07/07/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

07/23/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

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Advanced Topics for Board Members

After you’ve been on the Board a few months or a few years, you realize that some things are pretty complicated. This seminar has a heavy legal and legislative orientation. We’ll dissect the lawsuit process, review foreclosures and bankruptcies, and discuss significant portions of the Texas Property Code and federal law. After all the legal stuff, we’ll touch on aspects of “risk management” which includes insurance, reserves and budgeting concepts.

08/20/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest Houston

08/25/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

Humble

08/25/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

Community Spotlight
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Cypresswood Green 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:

  • July - Cypresswood Green Property Owners Association - North Office - Brenda Ellington
  • June - Fairway Pointe Community Association - Southwest Office - Libby Hodges
  • May - Eilan Condominium Association, Inc. - San Antonio Office - Ralph Troiano
  • April - Summerwood Community Association - North Office - Jennifer Northington
  • March - Diamond Ridge Property Owners Association - San Antonio Office - Rosie Saenz
  • 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.

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 July.

  • East Point Community Association— 25 years
  • Inwood Northwest Neighborhood Association— 14 years
  • Royal Palms Homeowners Association— 11 years
  • Community Association of Crockett Park — 5 years
  • Steeple Chase Terrace Townhouse Association - 1 year

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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North Office introduces 2015 Summer Interns
by Nancy McGinnis

For many years our North Office located in Humble has hired additional staff during the summer months to assist in many areas of the company.  Originally, the summer interns started by assisting with processing pool pass requests.  Over the years, the tasks assigned have expanded.  This year, we have the additional staff working not only on access device processing and distribution, but also scanning and electronic filing of documents, processing mail, making copies, and faxing requested items to residents or vendors.  Though many of our interns are very computer savvy and a whiz on a smart phone, these tasks give them to the opportunity to learn other business machines, many have never used a fax machine or made copies, and most have never seen a postage machine.  

This chance to do summer office work gives these high school and college students  a unique opportunity to test their options before graduating high school and  college and are forced to start becoming “real” grownup adults.  Many have returned for several summers and some come back on their fall, Christmas, and Spring breaks to help wherever needed.  

And for us, it allows the opportunity to learn from and work with a great bunch of future leaders.   We would like to introduce you all to our 2015 interns: Jessica Bortner, Virginia Ruggles, and Megan Northington.

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Anniversaries

We love to celebrate special milestones with our employees.  In each issue under Employee Corner, we will list all employees that have reached their 1 year anniversary with our company.  Additionally, once an employee becomes a stockholder at their 5th year, we will acknowledge them on their anniversary each year.   

This month, we congratulate Linda Morris on her 8th anniversary with C.I.A. Services. Linda is a stockholder and Community Manager at 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.