Hurricanes and unlicensed contractors seem to always go hand in hand.  Ken Lawson, DBPR Secretary, sent out this letter today which we want to pass on to you: 

Dear Friends,

Throughout the week, the entire nation has been observing Hurricane Preparedness Week together. As Floridians, we especially understand the importance of preparing for the potential damage of natural disasters such as hurricanes and tropical storms. With the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season kicking off on Sunday, I want to remind Floridians of the ways to protect themselves from unlicensed activity scams, both before and after a storm.

Whether your home or business is in need of maintenance in preparation of hurricane season or repairs due to hurricane damage, you’ll likely need to hire a construction contractor to get the job done. Most construction contractors in Florida require licensure with DBPR, and it’s essential that you and your family understand the ways to protect yourselves from unlicensed individuals posing as licensed professionals.

First, make sure you know the common storm-related services that require state licensure. Roof repairs, roof installations, window installations, plumbing repairs and electrical repairs or rewiring all require a state license with DBPR. Common storm-related services that do not require state licensure include trimming or removal of fallen trees, removal of debris or placement of tarps on roofs. For the full list of construction industry services that DBPR licenses and regulates, visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/index.html. Don’t forget to check with local building departments to determine if there are any additional permitting or licensing requirements in your area.

Once a service requiring state licensure is needed, always verify the professional license with DBPR prior to hiring or signing a contract. You can verify licenses on the DBPR website at www.myfloridalicense.com, over the phone at 850-487-1395 or on your mobile device using the DBPR Mobile app. Double check that the individual’s license is current and in good standing and that the information they provide matches the information on record with DBPR.

Hurricane season can take its toll on Floridians, but unlicensed activity doesn’t have to. If you suspect unlicensed activity is taking place, I encourage you to report the activity to DBPR by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1-866-532-1440 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The DBPR Mobile app also allows consumers to submit pictures and descriptions to report unlicensed activity directly from mobile devices. This hurricane season, let’s conquer unlicensed activity by coming together as proactive and informed Floridians!

Sincerely,

Ken Lawson
Secretary

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFloridaLicense.com

In the 80's there were 36,000 community associations, last year the number had grown to 328,500. On top of the list is Florida with 46,000 followed by California with 42,500. Also during this period the number of HOA communities have passed condominiums. Over 65 million people now live in community associations making up 24 percent of the homes in the US. The value of these homes is over $4.6 trillion and they are directed by 1,675,000 board members.

These are just a few of the statistics reported along with the why and how in the CAI 2013 Review. You may see the complete publication by clicking here.

It is official. Our new name is:

C&S Community Management Services, Inc.

When we began in the 80’s, condominiums were becoming heavily regulated and began hiring management companies and licensed managers. It was many years later before there were many HOA's using professional management. Since C&S began in the 80's we picked a name appropriate to the times. Now half of our clients are HOA's so it is time for us to drop Condominium from our name and use Community in its place.

Instead of C&S Condominium Management Services, Inc., we are now C&S Community Management Services, Inc. The CSCMSI stays the same so it does not affect our email or website address. Also our logo and most everything else remains the same. And of course we really like simply being known as C&S!

May is National Water Safety Month!

Water Safety Tips from

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)

• Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
• Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.
• Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools.
• Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms.
• Install a poolside phone, preferably a cordless model, with emergency numbers programmed into speed-dial.
• Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.
• Keep rescue equipment poolside. Don’t wait for the paramedics to arrive because you will lose valuable life-saving seconds. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause permanent brain damage or death.
• Keep a first aid kit at poolside.
• Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, that completely surrounds the pool and prevents direct access from the house and yard.
• Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first; seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
• Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
• Never prop the gate to a pool area open.
• Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”
• Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.
• Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
• Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble

Water Safety Tips from

The Pool Safely "Simple Steps Save Lives" Program

1. Staying close, being alert and watching children in and around the pool

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
• Teach children basic water safety tips
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors

2. Learning and practicing water safety skills

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency

3. Having appropriate equipment for your pool or spa

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
• If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
• Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

Find more tips for pool & spa owners at poolsafely.gov.

Also check out Water Safety Month.

Ready to tackle a few home improvement projects? There’s an app for that.

Houzz Interior Design Ideas



This highly-rated app—4.5 out of 5 stars in the Apple store—lets you discover ideas for your home through a large database of design ideas. You can browse photos by style, room and location, and save them to a virtual idea book. You can also find product and local professionals, and read articles by renovation experts. You can save your ideas for offline access and ask for advice from the app’s community. Available free in both Apple and Android stores.

MyPantone

There are many paint color apps, but this one lets you save colors based on their PANTONE ID and create colors palettes from inspiration. You’ll be able to share the exact hue you like with designers, manufacturers, family and friends. It suggests complementary colors too. Available for $9.99 in the Apple store and $7.99 in the Android store.

iHandy Carpenter

This app turns your phone into the tools you need to complete your improvement project. It features:

• A surface level
• A bubble level bar
• A protractor to measure angles from 0 to 180 degrees
• A ruler with both inches and centimeter readings
• A plumb bob to verify the verticality of lines or walls

Once calibrated, the plumb bob, surface level and level bar also can be used as an inclinometer/clinometer by reading the angles on the screen. Available for $1.99 in both Apple and Android stores.

Have fun!!

It was so nice to see so many of our board member friends today at CA Day. Our booth stayed busy throughout the day. We wish to thank everyone that stopped by and said hello. Here are a couple of pictures from today.

C&S is set up and ready for everyone to come visit us tomorrow (Friday 03.21.14) at CA Day at the Manatee Convention Center. We are in booth 406. Be sure to put in an entry to win the money tree and we hope to see you tomorrow.

UPDATE:  3:55 PM (03.18.14) Finally data lines have been repaired and email is again working.   

ORIGINAL POST:  During the rain storm today (03.17.14) at around 1:30 PM, the Verizon FIOS line servicing our main office encountered problems, leaving our main office, as well as all of the surrounding offices and businesses with no working data lines.   Since the C&S mail server is on this FIOS service, no email can come into or out of any C&S office.   

Verizon has tried to fix the problem remotely throughout the afternoon but have now informed us that they are very busy and will not be able to send field technicians out until tomorrow morning at the earliest.   

Attempts to contact C&S through our website will also not work as the website messages are sent to us by email.  Our phones are working and Facebook messaging is working.    We apologize for any inconvenience to our clients and hope that Verizon will fix their FIOS line quickly.  We will update you as more information becomes available.     

Come visit with us at the C&S booth at Community Associations Day! We will be giving away a money tree again this year!

The 2014 Humane Society of Manatee County Walk-A-Thon was a major success. Team C&S finished in second place raising over $3,000. In total the Humane Society had over 400 walkers and raised over $60,000. We wish a very big thank you to everyone who donated and supported Team C&S. As some of you know Annie and I were sidetracked to the vet instead of making it to the Walk Saturday morning. Annie had an allergic reaction to something still unknown. I am happy to report that she is doing fine and was back home after a few hours but I could tell she was very disappointed to not make the Walk. Katie pictured here ended up being C&S' only four legged walker and she did a great job! We look forward to competing again next year and are very proud to support such a great organization.

If you missed the C&S 2014 Board Member Forum, you can watch the morning speakers' presentations by clicking on the links below.  

There was a lot covered that is not on the videos so plan to come next year and not miss any of the forum. February 19, 2015 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.   

Part One: Introductions and the first speaker, Bruce Campbell, State of Florida Condominium Ombudsman.

Part Two: Conclusion of Bruce Campbell, State of Florida Condominium Ombudsman followed by Garrett Shinn CPA and Timothy Gruters, CPA, both from Shinn and Company CPAs.

Part Three: Attorneys Stephen Thompson and Jeff Nichols from the Najmy Thompson Law Firm.

Part Four:  Conclusion of Attorney Jeff Nichols followed by Janna Jackson of Citizens Insurance.

Team C&S is a sponsor and participant in the Paws in Motion fundraiser for the Humane Society of Manatee County. The big event is Saturday, March 8th and the walk begins at 9:00 AM along the beautiful downtown Bradenton River Walk.  

In what is becomming an annual event, Team C&S will have several dog walkers and others from our team will be handling our booth.  The above photo is from last year.  Everyone is invited to come out and visit with us (and walk if you would like).   You may help our donation drive by clicking on our Team C&S Link,  to give a donation to the Humane Society of Manatee County. Thanks and hope to see you there.

The Board Member Forum turned out great today and we had over 220 attend. Here are a few pictures from early this morning. We will have more pictures and video of the forum in a few days. Thanks to everyone who came!

Today is the day!! The C&S Board Member Forum is about to start. Registration opens at 7:30AM. Hope to see everyone soon at the Manatee Performing Arts Center!

C&S Management is very excited to be presenting Bruce Campbell, the Florida Condominium Ombudsman, Christine Ashburn of Citizens Insurance, Patrick Flynn from the Department of Business and Profession Regulation, along with Attorney Stephen Thompson of the Najmy Thompson Law Firm, and CPA Timothy Gruters from Shinn and Company CPA's, together in our annual Association Board Member Forum for HOA and condominium board members.  

The February 27th forum takes place in the morning and then following lunch, board members may attend the board certification class which is required by the State for HOA and condominium board members. Seating is limited so please RSVP quickly, 941-758-9454 ext 118 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

See below for more information. 

We are very pleased that the Board Member Forum will be at the new Manatee Performing Arts Center. Here are a few photos of the center.



Forum seating area:


Luncheon room:


Lobby:

C&S' Ellen Brown, CAM, CMCA, AMS, will be one of the presenters for the below Board Certification class.

This class is in Venice and you may click here to register.