" C.I.A. Services is not the leading edge of the industry . . . it is always the future of the industry!"
Attorney
C.I.A. Services Library Links
Our library is filled with articles that are helpful to homeowners, Board members, volunteers and everyone else that lives in a community association. Everything in the library is used with the permission of the author. Enjoy your browsing.
2023 eNews Monthly
February 2023 Volunteer Spotlight, Company News, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, New Communities, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
January 2023 Texas 88th Legislation Update, The Spirit of the Season, Volunteer Spotlight, Core Values in Action, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
2022 eNews Monthly
December 2022 Core Values in Action, Volunteer Spotlight - Robert Tice of Twin Oaks Village Community Association, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Find Us on Social Media
November 2022 Veterans Day, National Night Out, Core Values in Action, Community Spotlight, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series
September 2022 Open House, Accomplishments, Core Values in Action, Volunteer Spotlight, Community Spotlight Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
August 2022 Save the Date!,Volunteer Spotlight - Anita Johansen of Canyon View, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Gloria Bell Retirement, Stockholder Anniversaries, 1-year Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
July 2022 Volunteer Spotlight - Debbie Hymer of Ridgepoint Community Association, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
June 2022 Volunteer Spotlight - Ken Sasso of Clayton’s Corner, Celebrating 2022 Graduates, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
May 2022 Accomplishments, Volunteer Spotlight - Bridlegate Ranch, Community Spotlight, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
April 2022 Company News, Awards, Volunteer Spotlight - Jacquelin “Jax” Johanning of Dancing Bear P.O.A., Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
March 2022 Volunteer Spotlight - John Byrd of Glenmont Estates, Community Spotlight, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner - Anniversaries & Wedding Bells, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
February 2022 Award, Volunteer Spotlight - Lucy Robertson of Artavia, Banking News, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
January 2022 Year in Review, Volunteer Spotlight, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
2021 eNews Monthly
December 2021 The Spirit of the Season, Volunteer Spotlight, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media
November 2021 Veterans Day, Volunteer Spotlight, Awards, New Communities, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series,
September 2021 Volunteer Spotlight, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
August 2021 Company News, Volunteer Spotlight, Texas 87th Legislative Session, Living Our Core Values, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
July 2021 Company News, Volunteer Spotlight, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
June 2021 Volunteer Spotlight, Texas 87th Legislative Update, Accomplishments, Celebrating 2021 Graduates, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
May 2021 Company News, Volunteer Spotlight, New Communities, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Find Us on Social Media!, Seminar Series
April 2021 Company News, Texas 87th Legislative Session Update, Volunteer Spotlight, Earth Day 2021, Community Spotlight, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner, Seminar Series, Find Us on Social Media!
March 2021 Volunteer Spotlight, Accomplishments, Community of the Month, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Find Us on Social Media!, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
February 2021 Security Spotlight, Company News, Volunteer Spotlight, Find Us on Social Media!, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
January 2021 Year in Review, Company News, Volunteer Spotlight, Find Us on Social Media!, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
2020 eNews Monthly
December 2020 Company News - Humble Office Construction Update, Community Highlight - Unique Event for Unique Times, 2nd Annual Lake McQueeney Holiday Boat Parade, Community of the Month, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
November 2020 Celebrating Employee Veterans, Volunteer Spotlight, New Office Construction, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
October 2020 Company Updates, Community of the Month, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
September 2020 Awards, Volunteer Spotlight, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
August 2020 Volunteer Spotlight - Randall Starr of Pembroke Village Homeowners Association, Living Our Core Values, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
July 2020 Volunteer Spotlight, Living Our Core Values, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
June 2020 We Stand Together, Volunteer Spotlight - Bridlegate P.O.A., Living Our Core Values, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Celebrating 2020 Graduates, Employee Corner
May 2020 COVID-19 Updates, Awards, Community Highlight, Living Our Core Values, Adjusting to Change, C.I.A. Services Cares, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
April 2020 COVID-19 Updates, Living Our Core Values, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
March 2020 Fun Times - Hockey Night 2020, Volunteer Spotlight - Lakeridge Home Owners Association Board of Directors, Living Our Core Values - Charles Driskell’s Work with CERT, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, New Communities, Employee Corner
February 2020 Awards, Volunteer Spotlight - Rhonda Runge of Cinco Ranch Residential Association II, Living Our Core Values, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
January 2020 Year in Review, Growing Stronger, Volunteer Spotlight - Westover Forest Board of Directors, C.I.A. Services Cares, Fun Times, Living Our Core Values, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
2019 eNews Monthly
December 2019 Volunteer Spotlight - Matthew Hannon of Las Brisas, C.I.A. Services Cares, Living Our Core Values, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
November 2019 Volunteer Spotlight, C.I.A. Services Cares, Living Our Core Values, Celebrating Employee Veterans, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
October 2019 Volunteer Spotlight - Jim Blackburn of Plantation Lakes, Annual Food Drive, Living Our Core Values, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
September 2019 Anniversary Celebration, Volunteer Spotlight, Accomplishments, Living Our Core Values: Passion, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Seminar Series, Employee Corner
August 2019 Volunteer Spotlight - Raymond Thomas of Sonoma Ranch, Living Our Core Values: Stewardship, Accomplishments, Fun Times, Back to School, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
July 2019 Volunteer Spotlight - Jane Pauley-Flores, Living Our Core Values - Priscilla Aleman, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
June 2019 Volunteer Spotlight - Kathy O’Connor of Deerfield Owners Association, 86th Texas Legislative Session Update, Living Our Core Values - Valerie Flinn, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Celebrating 2019 Graduates, Employee Corner
May 2019 Area Happenings, Volunteer Spotlight - Chester Pleasant of Cinco Ranch Residential Association II, Manager Designations, Living Our Core Values - Kim Terry, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, New Communities, Employee Corner
April 2019 86th Texas Legislative Session, Volunteer Spotlight - Robert Burrahm of Pembroke Farms, Living Our Core Values - Sebby Regalado of our San Antonio Office, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
March 2019 Volunteer Spotlight: Richard McLarty of Cinco Ranch Residential Association II, Fun Times - 2019 Hockey Night Recap, Living Our Core Values: Deirdre Giampietro, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Office Manager Promotion, Employee Anniversaries
February 2019 Volunteer Spotlight - Rich Hutchison of Riverwalk, Awards - C.I.A. Services Named Management Company of the Year, What Makes Us Special, Our Core Values at Work - Leann Bruton, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
January 2019 Year in Review, News from the Capital, Holiday Giving, San Antonio News, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, New Communities, Community Anninversaries, Employee Corner
2018 eNews Monthly
December 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Pine Forest Village’s Marissa Masterson, Plogging - The Activity Cleaning the World, San Antonio Hockey Night, Stay Plugged in with Webcasts, Associations in Practice Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Anniversaries
November 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Ernest Hatter of Kirkmont Section II HOA, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Celebrating Employee Veterans, Employee Corner
October 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Rudy Alafa of Highland Meadow, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, New Communities, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
September 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Mamie Sneed of Heron Nest Owners Association, Inc., Seminar Series, Associations in Practice, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
August 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Doug Smith of Brays Forest Patio Homes, Back to School, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, New Communities, Employee Corner
July 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Sharon Baughman of Walden Meadows, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
June 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Harriette Furino of Deerfield, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Celebrating 2018 Graduates, Employee Corner
May 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Nikki Bautista of Cinco Ranch II, Manager Designations, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
April 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Jacqueline Johanning of Dancing Bear Property Owners Association, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, Employee Corner
March 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Damon Ankenman of Westfield Glen, Fun Times - Hockey Night, Seminar Series, In Memoriam, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, New Communities, Employee Corner
January 2018 Volunteer Spotlight - Brenda McNeil of Parkway Forest, Year in Review, Fun Times - Hockey Night, Seminar Series, Community of the Month, Community Anniversaries, New Communities, Employee Corner
Government Information
The Zika Virus March 2, 2016 letter from Commissioner John Hellerstedt, M.D. of the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding the statewide concern of the spread of the Zika virus. The letter inlcudes tips for how to protect communities from Zika Virus and measures for individuals to take for mosquito abatement.
Training
Webcast - Board Member Orientation (2017) 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.
Webcast - Advanced Topics for Board Members (2017) Whether you’ve been on the Board a few months or a few years, you know that some things are pretty complicated. This seminar covers some of the more complicated issues which will come before you. You won’t face these often but you’ll definitely want to be prepared. We cover how to resolve issues that escalate beyond the routine and dig into the anatomy of a lawsuit. We cover the myths and truths of foreclosures and hear about the gritty reality of small town and big city foreclosure sales. We quickly cover the impact of various types of bankruptcies and tax issues. And we finish with an inside view of insurance and its critical role in protecting you!
Webcast - Meetings & Records - the Legal Requirements (2017) This is a critical seminar for understanding the legal responsibilities of board members and their associations under theTexas Property Code. This seminar deals with board and members meetings and how those meetings must be announced, conducted and documented. We review what can be done in board executive sessions and unannounced meetings. We cover elections and voting. And finally, we explain members’ access to Association records. This is an extremely important seminar for all board members.
Webcast - Understanding Collections & Financial Reports (2017) The first half of this seminar covers 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.
Webcast - The Super-Budgeting Process (2017) “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.
Webcast - Practical Deed Restriction Management (2017) 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.
Webcast - The Essentials of Architectural Control (2017) Architectural Control is critical in establishing the standards and maintaining the appearance of a community. To be effective, a community must have clear standards that are implemented consistently and uniformly over time. When problems occur, they are generally contentious, emotional and expensive. A great architectural control approach will avoid those problems while accomplishing the objectives. This webcast covers the elements of a great system and examines solutions to the challenges.
Advanced Topics for Board Members (2015) 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.
The Essentials of Architectural Control (2015) Governing documents provide the 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 explains the range and limits of this authority, demonstrates the role of architectural guidelines, describes the interplay between deed restrictions issues and architectural issues, and touches on handling the tough problems.
Impact of 2015 Legislative Session on Property Owners Associations (2015) The 84th Texas legislative session was relatively quiet from a property owners association (POA) standpoint. One good, big bill made it into law along with several small bills. Overall, this was a good session for POAs. This seminar reviews the impact of the new legislation and touches on the practical aspects of each change.
Boot Camp for Board Members - Level 1 (2015) This seminar was part of the 2015 Greater Houston Neighborhood Associations Seminars and Trade Show. Our President, Ralph Troiano, presented this seminar which provided a broad overview of topics of importance to Board members.
- Basis of authority & the Texas Property Code
- Board responsibilities & code of conduct
- Board meeting, member meetings & voting
- Sneak peak at the 84th legislative session
Boot Camp for Board Members - Level 2 (2015) This seminar was part of the 2015 Greater Houston Neighborhood Associations Seminars and Trade Show. Our President, Ralph Troiano, presented this seminar which covered important advanced topics which are sometimes a mystery to Board members.
- Appeals, hearings and mediation
- Anatomy of a lawsuit
- Foreclosures by lenders, taxing authorities & POAs
- Bankruptcy
- Insurance
- Taxes
The Super-Budgeting Process (2014) Part of the C.I.A. Services Seminar Series. “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.
Practical Deed Restriction Management (2014) On March 8th GHNA held its 28th annual seminar and trade show. Ralph Troiano was pleased to be asked to return to present his popular seminar, Practical Deed Restriction Management, once again. He presented the seminar to a full house during both educational sessions. Browse the seminar here.
Paying for Today, Preparing for Tomorrow (2006) This is very nice PowerPoint presentation made by Ralph Troiano at the 2006 CCUCA Seminars and Trade Show. The seminar reviews the basics of fund accounting for community associations and how to calculate reserve fund requirements.
Landscaping Information
Oak Wilt in Texas This is helpful information on how to identify and manage Oak Wilt, one of the most destructive tree diseases in the U.S. and an epidemic in central Texas.
Texas Native Plants This is the handout from a talk Heidi Sheesley did at the AWBD conference in Corpus Christi June 24-26, 2004.
Insurance
Directors & Officers Liability This article by Mark Conner summarizes the main provisons of a Directors & Officers Liaibility insurance policy. This is one of the most important policies for an Association to protect its volunteers.
Risk Management This presentation by Ralph Troiano at the 2003 CCUCA Seminar & Trade show covers all aspects of risk management including using insurance to transfer risk.
Association Insurance Policies This article by Mark Conner reviews the various insurance policies that should be considered for community associations. It describes the main provisions of each policy.
Emergency Preparedness
Harris County Disaster Relief Information The Harris County Disaster Recovery Permit Hotline is open for residents in Unincorporated Harris County who have flood damage to their homes or businesses and need to repair or rebuild.
Are You Ready? This is a comprehensive FEMA guide for preparations and recovery from natural disasters. It covers the full spectrum from things we experience in south Texas (hurricanes, tornadoes and floods) to to things we don’t (wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis). It is a big download at 21 MB.
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