Posted by Shane_OH on 4/11/06 2:20pm
Msg #112722

Organization Update....

As many of you know there are a few of us trying to put together an organization to represent all of us... We are keeping the numbers very small, for now, simply to keep the # of ideas from overwhelming us. If we had 100 people with 100 different ideas, and we only could accomplish 10 of them, well 90% would feel neglected and we don't want that.

Right now I'm focused on getting Ohio up and running, instead of starting off trying to get the nation up and running. My thinking is, once we get it right in one state, we can branch outwards with a working roadmap that needs a little refining, but should mostly work. If it goes bad in Ohio, we can refine it in other states, without corrupting the entire effort. For the record, Ohio is going well

The Good:

We have a basic structure outlined on how it will work/run (using the Realtor organization as a guideline)

We have some great ideas, as far as marketing, training, promotion, conflict resolution with
non-paying ss's, etc.

Local meetings are being held in Ohio, and others. These meetings are organizational based at this point, but its the infra-structure that will be needed.

In Ohio, i've contacted the OMBA, candidates for the upcoming SOS election, over 100 title companies, to work with a standardized training/test etc.... All parties involved are very eager to get this established, as a way of appeasing federal regulators regarding oversight of predatory lending. In other words, by regulating themselves, they may be able to avoid federal regulation....which lenders, and Title Companies would love to avoid.

We've contacted a couple of Health Insurance companies about establishing a Health Plan that would be drastically cheaper than anything anyone self employed should get. By being a member, we expect to offer a plan substantially cheaper.... This is still in the very early stages, and may ultimately depend on the # of members we get as to how big a discount it will be....But I expect it to be a HUGE benefit.

Discounts, Discounts, Discounts... Nothing to report yet, but OfficeMax & Staples seem interested. No mid-high level talks have taken place, so its still in the very beginning stages. This should go without a hitch, as these companies are generally open to these offers.

The Bad:

Charles_CA was asked to help, as everyone knows for a couple years it seems he's talked about organizing. A lot of us had the same ideas for structure and development. Charles unfortunately chooses to stay on the sidelines. Hopefully he'll still participate with us, even if it just in a consulting aspect. As we get farther along, if Charles is still interested, of course there is a place for him, I disagree with his response "I'm an old battle horse, and i've done my thing"......bah!

As with any organization startup, we've had a little internal rumbling. Someone involved was told to step back at this time, because of comments that were made to someone else publicly. The remarks were probably just a knee-jerk reaction, and emotionally charged when they were typed. But, I think that even small mistakes could be detrimental to our developement professionally, especially in the eye of the everyday Notary. I think this person is still a very valuable asset, and I want this person to be involved, just maybe a little bit farther down the line. No, I won't say who it is, especially since we will want them back in the future. If they are still inclined to help, we still feel they'll be an asset. Their history shows they are very goal and business oriented, and are motivated for this cause. But, I think anyone that's been in a corporate world will tell you. Even the smallest misstep can lead to disaster.... so we are trying to avoid making any.

Anyway....thats about it for now. I apologize profusely for not being around as much as I'd like to. I don't get to read the boards that much, as business has kept me hoping, and of course my extra time is devoted to getting this underway.

I'll keep updating everyone as stuff occurs, or monthly etc...

Reply by SLB SIGNING SERVICES, INC. - Sherry on 4/11/06 3:04pm
Msg #112740

Hi Shane..I know Charles had mentioned it this to me at one time and I neglected getting back to him (shame on me Charles and I am truly sorry - it was not intentional at all - life just got in the way a little bit). I dont know if I could be of assistance at all in this process but if you need any help from the SS world, please do not hesitate to ask. I think you guys have a great idea going here....

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/11/06 3:24pm
Msg #112757

Not a problem Sherry

I appreciate your comments. I was under the impression that the project was proceeding well and this is the first time I hear of problems since no one has ever bothered to keep me in the loop!

Reply by Shane_OH on 4/11/06 3:56pm
Msg #112767

No problems at all...

As stated, we kept things very small..... so the # of people in the loop is limited. We don't need a ton of voices yet, but certainly will in the future.

Too many people involved too early = disaster.

We are proceeding very well. An internal disagreement, nothing more. I'm sure there will be plenty more in coming months. This is how things are hashed out, anyone that has been in business from the ground up will tell you that. People will be involved, and then not involved. Public perception is a strong thing, especially when putting together something of this magnitude.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/11/06 3:21pm
Msg #112756

Shane, I think that is a bit of a mis-characterization!

As everyone also knows I 've said all along that I had no ambitions to be anything within the organization other helping someone to start the organization. I also told you that I would be glad to help out within specific constraints, I have an active, growing, personal service business (an organizational term) that needs my time. As I said, I'm always available to talk to. I should also point out that no one has bothered to talk to me since you were anointed the king of the notaries (referring to some past posts). I believe since we also discussed it you know my stance on your direction at the time, I don't know if its changed, but at that time I had personal misgivings as to your direction and as I stated so. I alos told you that I would drop back from posting anything that might be controversial to allow you to progress since it was to no ones advantae to be bickering over direction. I know you received the e-mail because you quote from it! I would say that your post makes it seem that I have no interest in helping and by being "Bad" as you classify it, you seem to imply that it is my fault. I do not agree that it is my fault at all. I am available to help anyone who wants it but not as a primary force of the organizing effort. I suggest that if the organizaing effort is not progressing as you wanted it to you should look to the leadership for fault!

Reply by Shane_OH on 4/11/06 3:52pm
Msg #112764

You've misread....

Ahhh, I took from your email that you didn't want to be actively involved. Obviously we want your opinions. And as for direction, everyone is in agreement, and it was resolved quickly.

I certainly got your email, and I certainly didn't call you bad. As I posted, I disagreed with your characterization of yourself as an "Old battle horse". I think you've got a lot good work left in you. What could be your fault? nothing, nor would I imply it. I think perhaps you are misreading my post. I was obviously stating that we would have loved your input, but we also realize it takes more than one man/woman to accomplish this. I certainly can't do it alone, nor do I expect to.

I am not King of the Notaries, I am simply the one that took the initiative to do something about it. Numerous people, including myself, have been talking about this for a long time now, yet no one took the next step. I did. So, if I'm the King of the Organizational effort, so be it Until such place as we are up and running, and elections can be held, that is my place.

The organization effort is proceeding exactly as planned, slow and steady as to not make any mistakes that would cost anything the greater good.

I expect to have problems along the way, I expect things to not go exactly as planned, I expect there to be great misrepresentations, and I expect some people involved (including myself) will not be happy about decisions that have to be made. But, this isn't about Me, this isn't about any one in particular, its about the industry as a whole. And as long as we move in that direction, we WILL succeed. I can guarantee that.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/11/06 4:15pm
Msg #112771

I wish nothing but the best to the organization effort

It needs to happen and it will. Perhaps I did misread. The King of the Notaries was just in reference to someone's comments in a former post and was supposed to be lighthearted. Glad to hear that things are going along well.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 4/11/06 5:17pm
Msg #112801

Ah, C'mon Charles.

Let's call in a bomb threat to their next meeting. I didn't get invited either!

Reply by cmd_NH on 4/11/06 6:22pm
Msg #112814

Re: Thanks for the update...

I've been wondering how it's progressing along. I think you're right in starting small and working upwards and outwards. Keep us posted and if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

And Charles, your input to this organization will be an asset as are your posts here at NotRot.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/11/06 6:54pm
Msg #112832

So what is it you're trying to say TG, don't be bashful! n/m

Reply by Dee_Fla on 4/11/06 10:36pm
Msg #112903

I'm sorry Shane, but I must be out of the loop on something...or missed something here...but what type of organization are you trying to start, its mission and goals? Advise. Dee