Posted by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 2:21pm
Msg #188461

What do the words Integrity and Professionalism mean to you?

In a business where anyone without a criminal record can obtain a notary commission and become a signing agent, I am curious to find out what those two words mean to everyone. Are integrity and professionalism an important part of who you are as a signing agent? Do you believe that the lack of it is part of the problem some notaries have in receiving work or payment from some of their companies? What part does an inexperienced notary signing agent play in the image of the industry as a whole?

Reply by Teresa Kutz on 5/2/07 3:05pm
Msg #188467

Cheryl,

So we can get to know you better, could you please let us know what your answers are to your own questions and how do you use Integrity and Professionalism in your daily life?

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:21pm
Msg #188480

No problem Teresa. I posted this somewhere else and didnt want to add it here as it is a little long. Please find below the answers I would give to my question.

As a Commissioned Notary and a professional, Certified Signing Agent, I would like to hear from other notaries as to what the word professional means to you.

As a firefighter and first responder, people in my community were aware that I trained hard and took a lot of classroom time in an effort to be of service to them. Those that I had helped would come up to me and shake my hand and thank me for being there when they needed me. They showed respect for the position I held because I showed a willingness to learn all I could about the services I was involved with. This is not unlike a notary who studies state laws and learns the ins and outs of the signing industry. It's not something you can tell someone you have, it's something you show them ,one person ,or in our case, company at a time. As you put the knowledge you have to use with these companies, you earn their RESPECT.

As the chairperson for the Ladies Auxiliary of that same fire department, I was responsible for fundraising for the department. I created several large 3 day carnival events in an effort to bring in the much needed money for the department. I was voted into this position because the people in my community knew I was a person who could be trusted with large amounts of cash. In other words they felt I was a person of INTEGRITY.

I was voted into the chairperson of the community center position by members of my community because they knew that I had a genuine concern for the well being of the members of the community. In others words they saw I was DEDICATED.

The parents of the kids that were involved in the youth group I founded in my community allowed their children to participate because they had come to know me as someone who accepted nothing less than EXCELLENCE.

I didn't know it at the time but looking back on it now I have come to realize that these kind people were helping me to define the word PROFESSIONAL.

It's not an easy thing to accomplish, but if each and every Notary Signing Agent would define that word for themselves and operate according to it, this entire industry would be a shining example of cooperative, intelligent, respected, professionals.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 5/2/07 4:27pm
Msg #188481

Nice post Cheryl n/m

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:47pm
Msg #188492

Thanks SueW n/m

Reply by Teresa Kutz on 5/2/07 4:31pm
Msg #188483

I am sure we all have had the same experiences in our professions. However, I am curious what you have to say about the notary business questions you asked? You must have an opinion. What are your thoughts?

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:45pm
Msg #188487

I am saying that what qualities are respected in most professions hold especially true for the notary signing agent. In order to be successful as a signing agent, you must have the trust of not only the Title company or SS or lender but also that of the borrower. We are marketing not only our services but ourselves in this business. I have heard a lot of signing agents say over the years that we (signing agents) are not respected by the companies we work for. I submit that if we as a group of professionals started respecting ourselves and each other, this industry could take on a whole new look that directly benefit each one of us.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/2/07 4:47pm
Msg #188491

**I submit that if we as a group of professionals started respecting ourselves and each other, this industry could take on a whole new look that directly benefit each one of us.**

Cheryl, is this going back to the "thing" that everyone is eager to drop?

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:50pm
Msg #188495

Not a chance Brenda n/m

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:51pm
Msg #188497

Not a chance Brenda! :-)

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/2/07 5:00pm
Msg #188500

:0) gRRRReat!

I love drawing that little face.

Reply by hcampersFL on 5/2/07 4:35pm
Msg #188485

I will make it simple. I don't take advantage of people or the situation's that they may be in. I won't tolerate being taken advantage of either.

I think integrity shines through like a light. I have seen it and I have lived it. I try to set an example of it for my son.

The problem that new signing agents will run into is that they think like and employee instead of a business owner. I have said this before but it really is that simple. The new ones the have business sense or business experience will make it. Those that don't won't.

A combination of these ideas will lead to professionalism.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/2/07 4:45pm
Msg #188488

Beverly's correct.

**I think integrity shines through like a light.**

Yep...Beverly, one of the things I always told my son is
I listen to little of what you say and *all* of what you do.

Danged if he doesn't use that himself to determine good character,
truth and the measure of a person.

Integrity and Professionalism, to answer FLDocrunner...

Be clear on your motives, be truthful, be respectful, be honest, don't wear your anger or your hurty feelings on your sleeve, treat others as you want to be treated....finally, do your best at whatever you are doing when you are doing it...it will build character for future "roles" and projects.

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:49pm
Msg #188493

Thanks Brenda Tx n/m

Reply by Teresa Kutz on 5/2/07 4:56pm
Msg #188498

Re: Beverly's correct.

KUDOS!!!

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 4:46pm
Msg #188490

Well said hcampers. Thank you!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 5/2/07 5:42pm
Msg #188505

All well and good. To me integrity is adhering to a set of principles regardless of the cost, incorruptibility. I try to live by that and anyone who has know me know that I will do what I say and I will not deviate from the things in which I honestly believe. To me professionalism means to adhere to your chosen field and to do your best to be knowledgeable and skillful and to bring that knowledge and skill into play as necessary to complete you tasks. Professionalism is one of those words that is being defined and redefined and the true meaning of professionalism is participating for gain and livelihood in an activity or a field. Words frequently carry baggage and that baggage is freely interpreted not by the speaker but by the recipient in their own mind and context. In other words frequently the things we say are not listened to but are interpreted within the context of the listeners experiences which make language a very imperfect medium of communication unless one adheres to reasonably strict definitions of the words one speaks. Unfortunatley in your definition you did not comprehe

Reply by Charles_Ca on 5/2/07 5:42pm
Msg #188506

All well and good. To me integrity is adhering to a set of principles regardless of the cost, incorruptibility. I try to live by that and anyone who has know me know that I will do what I say and I will not deviate from the things in which I honestly believe. To me professionalism means to adhere to your chosen field and to do your best to be knowledgeable and skillful and to bring that knowledge and skill into play as necessary to complete you tasks. Professionalism is one of those words that is being defined and redefined and the true meaning of professionalism is participating for gain and livelihood in an activity or a field. Words frequently carry baggage and that baggage is freely interpreted not by the speaker but by the recipient in their own mind and context. In other words frequently the things we say are not listened to but are interpreted within the context of the listeners experiences which make language a very imperfect medium of communication unless one adheres to reasonably strict definitions of the words one speaks. Unfortunatley in your definition you did not comprehe

Reply by Charles_Ca on 5/2/07 5:44pm
Msg #188507

I am not sure what has hapened since I had my mother board rebuilt but this computer seems to execute without warning. Anyway, as I was saying in your definition Fldocrunner you did not go into the definition you asked for.

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 5:51pm
Msg #188508

Hi Charles, The words that were capitalized in my brief story to Teresa were intended to give my definition of the term. Thanks so much for your very eloquent input. Very well said.

Reply by Ndwa on 5/2/07 7:12pm
Msg #188518

Haven't I said this before?

"I will speak ill of no man and speak all the good I know of everyone", Ben Franklin.

Respect yourself...Respect others...Respect what you do (the profession)...You will do well...

RESPECT = INTEGRITY + PROFESSIONALISM

The above equation will get your reputation far and beyond. Three years into this business, I have been stiffed only once, made less than 5 phone calls, and no letter of any kind sent to get my money from companies.

As an SA & SS, I've seen and understand both side of the notary world. I totally agree with what Bev said. It's not rocket science and definitely not for everyone unless one has a business driven mentality. I had my biggest let down this past EOM from notaries whom I now felt were irresponsible and don't have a clue what an impact one tiny mistake can cause to someone's loan. I have resorted to doing what I hate most about this industry, of which are fee reduction, fax back, testing and the whole 9 yards. This is not directed at new SA, but also those who claimed to have been doing for 2-5 years. That is the nature of this business as it stands.

Show me your respect then I'll give you mine. That's the name of the game.

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 7:32pm
Msg #188522

Re: Haven't I said this before?

Thank you Ndwa. I think you just drove home my point! Sorry I missed it the first time around.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/2/07 7:50pm
Msg #188524

About Andy...

I chat with him on the phone on occasion. He respects the people he calls for signings and from what I can tell he definitely doesn't think of them as brokered goods.

I know it sounds odd, but I think of him more as an agent for the SA. He only deals with clients who pay him enough so he can pay the SA well. He is not greedy and trying to shave out ever bit of the fee that he can for himself. I find that extremely respectful and it's one way his integrity comes through.

When he's taking that order he is making sure he gets enough to make a profit and to pay the SA so they can make a profit. In fact, I think quite often when he reaches a low quoting person, he says "What? You'll do for $XX? Oh NO you will NOT. How about $xxx?"

If more SSs would think of them as in the business of being an "agent" for the SA (i.e., getting them good work which pays a good fee) rather than offering next to nothing and treating them like dirt so that the SS can make the highest profit possible, I don't think any of us would have a problem working for SSs.

Reply by FLdocrunner on 5/2/07 8:21pm
Msg #188525

Re: About Andy...

Thanks Brenda, and way to go Andy. Not just professional but full of integrity as well! I'm pleased to meet you!

Reply by Ndwa on 5/2/07 8:45pm
Msg #188527

Likewise Cheryl...TY Brenda 4-d kind words... n/m

Reply by MikeC/NY on 5/2/07 9:09pm
Msg #188530

Re: About Andy...

Well said, Brenda.

If the other signing services followed Andy's lead, we wouldn't be seeing all these G/B/U posts...
We know how to do the job. Just pay fairly, and pay on time - that's all we ask. How difficult is that?

Hey Andy - if you ever expand to NY, keep me in mind...

Reply by Ndwa on 5/2/07 9:36pm
Msg #188533

Re: Hopefully soon, Mike

I'm in the work to get an East coast TC on board.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 5/3/07 8:28am
Msg #188565

I agree Mike

Andy has led by example, no question about that. I've e-mailed him with a few tech questions and he's ALWAYS been kind enough to reply with respect and with correct information. He's aces in my book! And he himself has stated here that some of the SA's that have done work for him have forced him into a corner (of such). It's unfortunate that we have some SA's that have no ethics or professionalism, that could care less about the signing and are only in this for the pin money. It's not the SS's or TC's we need to blame for putting "fines" on us for not performing OR for treating us like idiots, it's those in our own field that screw it up. What the saying? Many suffer for the few? When I see SA's post questions like "how do I fax? face up or face down"? or "how do I give an oath" I just have to wonder where their head is! If I were a TC or an SS I would cover myself seven ways from he77 when dealing with an SA I had no experience with. We now have to prove ourselves to each and every one of them regardless of our experience.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 5/3/07 2:22am
Msg #188549

For me, it boils down to The Golden Rule. Do unto others

as you would have others do unto you.

To be kind, courteous, respectful, understanding, helpful, patient, comforting, a good listener...to learn from others everyday, to nurture one's craft and take pride in striving for excellence...to admit mistakes and make them right...to acquire the skills of successful negotiation, arbitration, and cooperation...to trust and be trustworthy...

My job fell into my lap. Got a call about five years ago from someone who asked me to do a job. I asked what it entailed, she told me, and I said, yes, I could do that. When I told the borrower this was my first signing, she said it was her first refi, and she'd put on a pot of tea, so we could go through it together, which we did to a successful end - a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I became and NSA.

Growing my business, as I'm coming up on 60 summers, I bring my life's values, manners, upbringing, sense of right and wrong, commitment to my work ethic - a million lessons. Who I am makes me a good signing agent.

Does the new generations of workers, just beginning to form its ethos, bring a different perspective? Does the allure of easy money - big bucks for 'driving around getting signatures' - work in the open marketplace? Your question is like a double edged sword: The 'professionals' ~developed~ their professionalism. Interent in professionalism is integrity. First truth, then work. Yet, we all have to start somewhere in the real work-a-day world with what we have.

I believe that without the basics, the task is a hard row to hoe. Learn your grammar and times tables, and your life is so much easier. Learn manners, and get along. Learn to listen, and provide council. Be patient, and learn humility. Keep confidences. If it's not true, don't say it. If it's not your's, don't take it. Help out. Fess up and make it right. Keep good books. Listen to your heart and use your mind.

Comparing signing agents as a whole is tricky business. I'd say the old salts have it over the youngsters...as it should be. Those that are quick and true will tap into the sage stories and learn the biz; those who arrive on the scene with minimal skills and no prospect, will morph into other, less demanding work. It is up to the professionals to set and maintain the bar.

Cheers!
Susie
,

Reply by Susan Fischer on 5/3/07 2:52am
Msg #188552

'S'cuse the errant apostrophy, et al. Dang, I'm not

perfect...

Bummer.

Double cheers!
Susie

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 5/3/07 2:12pm
Msg #188644

Re: 'S'cuse the errant apostrophy, et al. Dang, I'm not

Yeah, I knocked you down a whole grade level for that. Up until then, I was with you all the way.

(Nice post.)

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/3/07 2:26pm
Msg #188648

Susan -as much as we have our seats on two opposite ends

of things most of the time...I have to say I do believe you have a talent for writing and you ought to pursue it.