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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.

August 2015
eNews Monthly
Industry Headlines
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Community Associations - A Growing Trend

Community Associations Institute (CAI) recently published a very interesting article about the community associaitons and their rapid growth over the last fifty years. It is full of interesting data and statistics about our industry and we are pleased to share it with you.

NEW DATA AFFIRMS CONTINUED ASSOCIATION GROWTH

The number of community associations in the United States grew from 10,000 in 1970 and 222,500 in 2000 to 333,600 in 2014, according to a new report published by Community Association Institute (CAI). While final 2015 data is not yet available, CAI estimates the year will end with between 336,000 and 338,000 associations.

An estimated 66.7 million Americans—20.7 percent of the U.S. population in 2014—lived in common-interest communities, including homeowners associations, condominium communities and cooperatives, according to CAI’s National and State Statistical Review for 2014. Homeowners associations account for 51 to 55 percent of the 333,600 associations, with condominiums representing 42 to 45 percent and cooperatives 3 to 4 percent.

States with the most associations are Florida (47,100), California (43,300), Texas (19,400) and Illinois (18,150).

"Community associations are an increasingly vital segment of the U.S. housing market—and are increasingly desired by smart homebuyers," says CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. "Not only do they provide options, alternatives, facilities and amenities that most Americans could not otherwise enjoy, they protect property values by preserving the nature and character of the communities."

National surveys have repeatedly shown that overwhelming majorities of residents in associations are satisfied in their communities.

Other 2014 national data:

  • The estimated value of homes in associations is $4.95 trillion.
  • Associations collect an estimated $70 billion in assessments from their homeowners. Assessments fund association services, such as professional management, utilities and maintenance, and a wide variety of amenities, including pools, club houses and social events.
  • About $22 billion of assessment dollars are contributed to association reserve funds for the repair, replacement and enhancement of common property.
  • An estimated 30 to 40 percent of associations are self-managed, meaning they do not employ a community manager or management company.
  • An estimated 50,000 to 55,000 community managers are providing professional services to associations. Many of them, commonly called portfolio managers, provide support to multiple associations.
  • An estimated 2.3 million Americans serve on community association boards and committees at any one time. They perform an estimated 78 million hours of service annually; the value of their volunteer time is estimated at $1.6 billion.

Download the statistical review for additional national data, state statistics and a summary of how and why community associations work.

The information in the review was developed by Clifford J. Treese, CIRMS, president of Association Data, Inc., in Mountain House, Calif., and a past president of both CAI and the Foundation for Community Association Research.

With more than 33,000 members dedicated to building better communities, CAI works in partnership with 60 chapters to provide information, education and resources to community associations and the professionals who support them. CAI’s mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in communities that are preferred places to call home. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321. 

Volunteer Spotlight
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Post Wood Civic Association - Dianne Alger
by Valerie Lehr

Dianne Alger has been a resident of Post Wood Civic Association, Inc. for 35 years. Ms. Alger first became involved in the community by serving on the many committees. Over the years she has dedicated her time and energy for the betterment of the community. Ms. Alger has served on the Board of Directors for the past 4 years. Currently Ms. Alger is serving in the capacity of Board President. Her previous positions include Vice President and Director.

Dianne heads up the following committees: community events, landscaping/park and the clubhouse/pool committee. Ms. Alger is instrumental in organizing and finding volunteers to assist with the community events such as the Annual Pool Opening Day Party, Annual Fourth of July Root Beer Float Social, Memorial Day Celebration and National Night Out.

Any time a Board member is needed to meet with a vendor or contractor, Diane has always made time in her schedule to meet with them. This includes diligently working alongside the vendors to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner and on budget.

C.I.A. Services would like to take the time to acknowledge and thank Dianne Alger for her many years of volunteer service. It is volunteers like Dianne that truly make a difference in the community.

Back to School
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Easing the Transition

Back to school time is upon us.  Lazy days in the sun are ready to give way to the hustle and bustle of bus schedules, homework and after school activities.  For many of us that means chaos and hectic schedules, but many experts say it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many things we can do to help ease the transition for ourselves and our kids.  Click here to review a list of articles,compliled by Marilyn Price-Mitchell PhD,  from many noted experts on back to school tips for everyone.

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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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

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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.

09/9/15 – Wednesday

6 – 7 pm

Webinar

 

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The Super-Budgeting Process

"Super-Budgeting" is our term for preparing a comprehensive long term budget and business plan. This isn’t something you do on the back of an envelope an hour before the budget meeting. We’ll break the process down into understandable components and show you how assets and reserves fit into the picture. We’ll start with a simple question that very few people can answer correctly: "How much money should our Association have in the bank?" By the end of the seminar, you’ll know the correct answer for your Association. This is a critical seminar to take before you start looking at budgets.

 

09/14/15 – Monday

6 – 8 pm

North

09/17/15 – Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest

09/22/15 – Tuesday

6 – 8 pm

San Antonio

Community Spotlight
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Cinco Ranch Residential Association II

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:

  • August - Cinco Ranch Residential Association II - North Office - Laura Tate
  • 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.

New Communities
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Yaupon Ranch Homeowners Associations

We are pleased to announce our newest community, Yaupon Ranch in Cypress.  Yaupon Ranch has seven sections with 945 homes. The community is located between Longenbaugh and Greenhouse in Cypress. Yaupon Ranch has a pool and two parks.  Welcome to the family!!

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 August.

  • Country Colony Community Improvement Association — 20 years
  • Telfair Community Council — 9 years
  • Atascocita Trails Homeowners Association — 3 years
  • Eli West End Owners 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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Anniversaries

We love to celebrate special milestones with our employees. In the Employee Corner of each eNews issue, 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.  

Congratulations to Vice President Kim Moore on reaching her 17th anniversary with C.I.A. Services. Kim is a loyal employee and stockholder and wears many hats, including Southwest Office Branch Manager and Community Manager of several communities.  She wears them well!

Congratulations also to stockholder Frances McIntyre on her 10th anniversary with the company.  Frances does a great job as a Community Manager in our North Office.  

Congratulations to stockholder Daniel Harris on his 7th anniversary.  Daniel is an awesome Maintenance Coordinator in our Southwest Office and is always going the extra mile!

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.