Posted by NNA Lover on 7/27/04 9:45am
Msg #5042
Here is why I love NNA
I received a letter from NNA telling me about the signing agent opportunity. I needed to make money to support my family. (I am a single mom of three teenagers with an ex husband who doesn't pay his child support.)
I took the NNA class. They told me about the signing agent opportunity. I started immediately marketing my services to title companies. In less than four months I was already making more than I did when I was doing something else. I now make twice as much!
I am not an employee of NNA as much as some of your would like to believe. Your thinking that way allows for you to continue blaming NNA for your failures. (I can assure you that I am not an employee. Some of you wouldn't be members if I were.)
Some of you complain about there too many notaries. Who wouldn't like to have less notaries and less competition? No one is owed that though. However, if you feel strongly this way then QUIT being a notary. Resign your commission today!!! You be the first one to further your cause to get rid of the over saturation of notaries.
However, if you want to make money quit blaming NNA and work on developing your business.
| Reply by Lawrence Goodwin on 7/27/04 10:55am
Msg #5044
I think it is great that the NNA worked for you, however it is obvious by other posts on this board that is does not work for everyone. We are all entitled to our own opinions.
| Reply by NNA Lover on 7/27/04 10:37pm
Msg #5102
Lawrence I respect your comments and agree that we are all entitled to our own opinions.
I only have an objection to what one has written. There was one who made comments along the lines that NNA executives and staff were lining their pockets. Yet, we discovered that he did not know what are the salaries and compensation of the NNA execs and staff. When he made this comment it was not an opinion. He stated it as fact.
I also want to point out that there are only a few of NNA members represented here on the board. A majority opinion here on this board does not constitute a majority opinion of the membership of NNA. Aren't there more than 10,000 signing agents nationwide. You would figure that if a majority of NNA signing agents were unhappy we would have a whole lot of complaining. (A majority is 5001 if the membership is 10,000.) Also, anecdotal evidence such as found from postings herein is not evidence that most members think NNA is a sham. Renewals would be a better indicator. People keep renewing. Some here try to make it seem as if everyone agrees with them.
I shared my opinion based upon the facts of my own experience. I have made a lot of money for the minor investment I made in NNA.
| Reply by HisHughness on 7/28/04 12:12am
Msg #5107
Lover, I'm going to give this one more shot, though my guess is that you're beyond redemption.
I don't >>know<< that watering my fig tree will produce fruit. What I do >>know<< is that I failed to water it for four years running during the spring and summer, and all it produced was stunted green nubs. This year I have watered it, and I enjoy fresh figs every morning. And I am quite comfortable telling one and all that when fig trees don't get water, they don't fruit.
I don't >>know<< when a non-profit organization focuses most of its energies on activities that will generate revenue, and there is little evidence that those revenues have been applied to benefit the general membership, that the executives of the organization are drawing fat paychecks. What I do >>know<< is that non-profits by their very nature don't pay dividends, and that instances of non-profit executives living high off the hog in such instances (think Wall Street, for a recent reference point) are plentiful. Thus, I feel quite comfortable in saying that there are some NNA executives who are satisfying a voracious appetite for figs.
| Reply by NNA Lover on 7/28/04 4:34am
Msg #5111
Hey Hugh! I think I finally got it.
Because of your experience running a non-profit you think no one running a non-profit is worth what they are being paid. I can only assume that you never felt as if you provided anything of value therefore think everyone is that way.
The renewals at NNA tell the true story. People don't renew if they don't think they got a value. That is the part you have a problem explaining.
| Reply by PAW Notary Services on 7/28/04 9:49am
Msg #5117
You previously said, "People don't renew if they don't think they got a value."
That's the problem. Many uninformed notaries and signing agents have been darn near brainwashed into thinking the NNA is the ONLY AUTHORITY and only organizations for the notary community. It is because of the propaganda that the NNA spews forth over and over again, on and on ad nauseum, that makes these poor unsuspecting officers of the states repeatedly shell out for the "distinction" of being a member of the NNA.
I will admit the NNA has grand and glorious ideas, and up to a few years ago actually had striven to fulfill those ideas. But lately, the perception (and perception is really everything) is that they have turned a cold shoulder to the general Notary Public in favor of bolstering the Signing Agent section they bought from Ms. Pence a couple years ago. The proliferation of "earn fast money, make big bucks, easy earnings" over the past years has not only demeaned the Notary Public office but with the lack of conviction by the NNA in the presentation of reality, has made a sham of the Signing Agent industry.
I would venture to say, that more than 25% of the "Certified" signing agents out there performing crucial "witness only closings", are doing them improperly and possibly performing illegal acts. All to often, I as well as other seasoned agents, see the results of these "certified" agents who can't even follow or understand the basic notary concepts.
The NNA professes themselves to be an instrument of education. This is oh so true. I have been so educated in the past couple of years that I often cringe when I hear, "I am a new Certified Signing Agent and just got my commission. What do I need to do now?" It's at the point that I can no longer spend the time with these new lambs that have been led to slaughter by the NNA, with visions of greenbacks in their eyes. I am so disappointed in the way the NNA has navigated their way through the notary society.
| Reply by NNA Lover on 7/28/04 7:54pm
Msg #5140
Lets review the arguments
Hugh said: NNA is not benefiting the notaries just lining the pockets of the executives.
When pressed for proof Hugh has to admit that he does not know what the NNA executives are making.
Others said: NNA is oversaturating the market.
These same people think they are the only ones who deserve to be in this business. Their argument is that everyone else is saturation and they deserve to be here. They don't like competition.
When confronted with the fact that NNA members are renewing, NOW Paul says: Many uninformed notaries and signing agents have been darn near brainwashed...
That's right Paul. Everyone but you is uninformed. You my friend are the only person who knows anything. The rest of us mindless NNA lovers and renewers don't have a clue if we are making money or not.
I still say that the renewals are proof that NNA is benefiting people. They would not renew unless they are benefiting.
| Reply by HisHughness on 7/28/04 8:37pm
Msg #5142
Re: Lets review the arguments
I'm not even interested anymore in what >>I<< have to say about what a sorry excuse for a non-profit non-service organization the NNA is, much less what anyone else has to say. This topic has been chewed more than coyote haunch jerky. Can we move on to something that holds a little more pizazz, like maybe what types of mites inhabit the nostrils of Bering Sea pelagic birds?
| Reply by Sylvia/FL on 7/28/04 8:50pm
Msg #5144
Re: Lets review the arguments
His Hughness wondered
" Can we move on to something that holds a little more pizazz, like maybe what types of mites inhabit the nostrils of Bering Sea pelagic birds?"
Probably from the super family Analgoidea??
| Reply by HisHughness on 7/28/04 9:51pm
Msg #5152
Re: Lets review the arguments
Sylvia_/-\=|FL quipped:
" Can we move on to something that holds a little more pizazz, like maybe what types of mites inhabit the nostrils of Bering Sea pelagic birds?"
Probably from the super family Analgoidea??"
I thought an analgoidea was something taken for pain. Aspirin don't have nose mites. Maybe you should retake that Biology 101 course, and this time try to stay awake.
| Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/28/04 10:44pm
Msg #5155
Hugh, Hugh,Hugh
Analgesics are for pain, analgoidea are mites - feather mites to be exact which are found in pelagic (ocean) birds, so I suppose they could be found inhabiting the nostrils of Bering Sea pelagic birds
You want some coffee to wake yourself up?? (or maybe a refresher course in pelagic birds and feather mites? ) LOL
| Reply by HisHughness on 7/29/04 1:44am
Msg #5162
Re: Hugh, Hugh,Hugh
Sylvia_/-\=|FL babbled:
"Analgesics are for pain..."
Sorry to disabuse you of your quaint notion, Syl, but anal geezers like myself are very much against pain. And you need a spelling lesson.
| Reply by PAW Notary Services on 7/29/04 8:12am
Msg #5166
Re: Lets review the arguments
Then came forth the "NNA Lover" who proclaimed, "I still say that the renewals are proof that NNA is benefiting people."
To which I ask:
Okay, Mr. Know-it-All, you always ask for "proof", please provide "proof" of how many members are renewing their memberships. And, while you're at it, please provide information as to whether or not these members are stating that they are receiving benefit from their membership.
I don't want your opinion, I want cold, hard facts.
Further, I ask the NNA, has anyone done a "satisfaction survey" of their membership? And I don't mean a survey compiled and completed by the NNA, but by an impartial, outside company, which only provides the compiled result to the NNA, never divulging the source of the information.
| Reply by Jon on 7/28/04 9:51am
Msg #5118
Re: Here is why NNA has renewals
I know alot of people who renew not because they get value from the NNA, but because they think being part of a professional organization gives them more credibility with clients. Whether we like it or not, the NNA is probably the most well known asscoiation for notaries, thus they get alot of renewals. Renewals have nothing to do with whether the NNA is working for notaries or not, it has to do with appearances. BTW, where do you think the money goes??
| Reply by Anonymous on 7/29/04 12:26pm
Msg #5180
How do you know what the renewals are at the NNA if you aren't an employee. I am sure they don't share that info with the general public!
| Reply by Jon on 7/29/04 3:04pm
Msg #5192
Actually....
....they do. The NNA most favorite thing to talk, or write about is....The NNA. They are constantly making references to how many renewals they are getting. What they don't tell you is that all persons who take their class get 1 free year of membership. I would be willing to bet that most of their renewals are from the persons who got one free year and recieved their renewal notice 8 months prior to expiration and just renewed because they haven't taken the time find out if the NNA offers anything of value. Unfortunately, the NNA passes itself off as the only organization for notaries and many are unaware of other associations. These people "spin" better than Clinton's people do!!
| Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/27/04 11:08am
Msg #5046
I can see why you love the NNA - however the whole point of the other posts is that they have appeared to lose sight of the regular notary, who does not do loan signings. They appear to have gone into the profitable signing agent business, and lost sight of the fact they were supposed to be for all notaries.
They have overrun the market with signing agents, but that doesn't worry me too much,. I am well established with the title companies I work with, and as a signing service I use the Signing Registry and this site to find signing agents to do the signings. I won't use the NNA listings - unless I am desperate - and then I look for a signing agent listed there that I knew was a signing agent before the NNA took over NASA.
| Reply by Anonymous on 7/27/04 6:23pm
Msg #5092
I miss the old NNa too. I am not a certified signing agent.... I started doing signings before it was the "Thing" to do. I started in late 1999,and this type of work was not heard of here. I got the first phone call because the agency called the state and asked for a list of notaries in my state. I could do 2-3 signings a day if I lived in a less rural area. I often refuse a job because I don't have time to get to the next job on time. I give them the name of a friend that is not quite as busy. I'm disabled and do this to suppliment my Social Security and to get out of the house. My companion dog loves the ride too!!
| Reply by BrendaTX on 7/29/04 11:16am
Msg #5170
Signing Agent Dogs
About Signing Agent Dogs: They...
--Will sound the alarm when a uniformed man or woman carrying anything approaches the signing agent's door and attempts to befriend the uniformed person.
--Patiently guards empty FEDEX, UPS, or other courier envelopes until the envelope is called into commission
And...
...When said envelope is filled with a loan package by the signing agent, SA Dog runs to get the Signing Agent Dog leash and signals by much barking that the SA Dog is ready, willing, and able to accompany the SA Dog's signing agent to drop off the package.
...If barking is not acknowledged by the Signing Agent, the best of SA Dogs will shake their leash vehemently or begin to snap at the feet of the signing agent to remind them that they are required to ride as guard for the drop off. (Moping, pouting, and hiding in another room will occur if the signing agent says "No, I am going to work." )
...A good SA Dog knows the words "drop off" and "FEDEX" and "U-P-S" and shows signs of excitement when they are spoken. When a signing agent is checking the postings on the notary signing agent boards, or doing marketing tasks at the computer, Signing Agent Dogs will lie by the agent's feet. If they are told to watch for "the big brown/or/white trucks" they will station themselves by the window to watch or nap until the next delivery comes.
Here is a head shot of a Texas Signing Agent Dog napping while on window duty:
http://www.texnotary.com/signingagentdog.bmp
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