Posted by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/11/06 9:42pm
Msg #87713

Meeting Club for Newbies

Hi to all, I am a new Notary in the Los Angeles area. I am finding it hard to connect with other seansoned Notaries. I read all the post daily and see that other newbies are experiencing the same thing. It seems that a FEW of the seansoned notaries are not to willing to reach out and help the Newbies. Don't get this wrong, I see that many notaries are very willing to offer some valuable information which has help me a lot. My question is...Does anyone know of a group or organization in the LA area that frequently meets and share ideas and issues on making it in this business? I will look forward to hearing your response. Thanks for reading and your reply would be appreciated.

Reply by Janlee_MI on 1/11/06 9:50pm
Msg #87714

Debra, I think if you find a club like that it would be great. However, I would doubt that there is such a group.

Reply by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/11/06 10:12pm
Msg #87719

Hi Janlee, Thanks for your response. I think it is a good idea as well. I guest I will be the one to start it. Wish me luck. Any suggestions on getting started let me know. Thanks again.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/11/06 10:12pm
Msg #87718

Deborah, if you are a new notary and notary signing agent, don't you think it's a bit early to be judging others, especially those that are experienced in this field? Your statement ***It seems that a FEW of the seansoned notaries are not to willing to reach out*** makes several things clear:

1. You haven't researched the industry of NSA and it's over saturation in the LA area and other areas'
2. You feel as though other self-employed people in your area owe you an education, perhaps to the damage of their own service area;
3. You haven't taken the time to fully research and read all the posts and opinions on this board; and
4. You don't get it that THIS is the place where seasoned notaries reach out; and last
5. For someone new, it's not a good idea to make a statement like that, then qualify it with "don't get this wrong". I didn't get it wrong, you need someone to help you and you can't find it.

You can get the equivalent of mentoring with the Notary Rotary forum, but it takes work and time on your part. I would suggest you READ the forum from start to finish and get a notebook - take good notes. Read thread 33325 and do what it says.

There are some who like to have get-togethers with other notaries. There is one in Orange County in the very near future sponsored by an instructor of Notaryclasses.com - a company like the NNA that cranks out new notaries with promises of $100K incomes. I wish them well but also know that the competition in LA and Ventura is fierce.

I wish you luck and don't intend to sound mean, but you need to realize the reality of the fact that no one in your area wants to educate their competition.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/11/06 10:43pm
Msg #87729

I appreciate your response and your opinion. Which is what is was your opinion, as it was my opinion. I figured I would get a response from someone like yours. Which is why I said a "few". No one owes me or anyone anything. I paid for my education and continue to do. Everyone can learn something from someone, which I why I am going to start a club. You are more than welcome to attend. Two heads are always better than one as long as one is not to big. For you to say how much time I spend on the boards is not for you to say. You have no idea how I spend my time in regards to being a NSA. I make it daily routine to educate myself in this field. Maybe you are one of the seasoned ones who are threathened by the competition. I have made some wonderful friends on the boards as I stated so I know that there are some Tough, sharp notaries out there who are very comfortable with themselves and have no problem sharing knowledge to someone who is egar to learn. My goal is to be one of them. Sharp, and confident! Best Wishes to you. Thanks for your response.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/11/06 11:01pm
Msg #87740

Re: Meeting Club for Newbies, well then...

Good for you, Deborah - a "club" is nice. For the many years I've been in this business (title and escrow) I find that Trade Associations hold the place that you are describing as a 'club'. Sadly, in spite of it being a great idea, there's no UNIVERSALLY accepted association of NSA's.

Thank you also for the invite. I'm not at all threatened as I've got a track record of posting here as to my goals and opinions and I too have made the most wonderful friends here. My career in the title industry has been very rewarding, so being 'threatened' is just silly.

You definitely have 'attitude' that's for sure - you go girl - you'll probably make it if you keep up that fierce determination. Email me when you have your first club meeting if you like. My link is attached. In the meantime, do take advantage of this board - it's been so educational for me.

Good luck to you, Deborah.

Reply by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/13/06 1:28pm
Msg #88220

Re: Meeting Club for Newbies, well then...

You are one of those notaries I want to be like. You are also fierce. I like your style. I've read your post and you know your stuff. Maybe my wording was a bit off, I only meant to say that we can all learn something from someone. Did not mean to step on any toes at this point in the game. I am new, not a fool. I am gald to have somewhat met you, you indeed got me going. I appreciate that. You have wonderful flavor. I have already learned from you. Thank You.

Reply by CaliNotary on 1/12/06 12:07am
Msg #87761

"Everyone can learn something from someone, which I why I am going to start a club. You are more than welcome to attend. Two heads are always better than one as long as one is not to big."

That's easy to say when you're the one on the receiving end of all of the learning.

But what is the incentive for someone like me, who is already well versed in the ways and laws of this job, to attend? What would be the benefit that I would receive that would outweigh the negative aspect of training my direct competition?

There's a difference between feeling threatened by competition (I'm not) and having enough business sense (which I have) to know that it is just plain dumb to train your own competition, even if you do get a warm fuzzy feeling from it.

What you're proposing is extrememly one sided - lots of benefits for the newbies, no benefits for the experienced notaries.

Reply by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/13/06 1:40pm
Msg #88222

I think you misunderstood what I stated. I was asking for new notaries to met. Did someone train you? Did someone share information with you when you started? I guess the incentive for someone like you who is well versed in the ways would not benefit you. Appreciate your post.

Reply by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/11/06 10:47pm
Msg #87731

I meant to include my name not anonymous.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 1/12/06 4:12am
Msg #87774

We are having a luncheon for all So Calif Notaries

Deborah
I have been posting our luncheon for all So Calif notaries at Marie Callendars on Jan 15th (Sunday 11:00 am until .............. at 540 N Euclid Blvd 92807.

Come to the luncheon and I am sure you will have a great time. Bring a lot of business cards to exchange and get referrals.

I plan to have everyone sign in and then email all the notaries in attendance all the information for all the other notaries who attend.
Just show up as we have the big room in the back at Marie Callendars.

Reply by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/12/06 5:02pm
Msg #87977

Re: We are having a luncheon for all So Calif Notaries

Hi Joan, count me in. I will be there. I am so glad to receive your response to my post. What city are you in? Looking for to meeting you, and making some new friends. Thanks for the invite. Debbie

Reply by srnotary_CA on 1/12/06 9:00am
Msg #87788

Deborah I too have been wanting to set up something with notaries in my area. I have not had any luck as of yet. I am a little far from Los Angeles. Its anywhere from an hour to a two and a half hour drive down there for me depending on the area. If you would like you can email me. I think that if we can get "clubs" going of the notaries that are in this for the long haul and not for the low ball fees and refer each other maybe we can help each other and get things back on track. I am not at all adverse to the idea. Because we can not only help each other and give referals to each other but maybe form so me new friendships as well. I have met people on this board that I enjoy talking to and who have been extremely helpful. There are those that are gruff in their replies but I believe that it is because of all the "newbies" that are coming in and not knowing the basics who then in turn go to a signing and make all notaries look bad because they do not know what they are doing. Yes I am still a "newbie" but I read this board and am constantly going over my hand book and if I still need to ask a question I do.

Reply by cyndi_ca on 1/12/06 11:07am
Msg #87845

to: srnotary_CA

Where are you located in CA? I'm in socal and plan to attend the luncheon on Sun. It would be nice to have something with other notaries in the area.

Reply by srnotary_CA on 1/12/06 11:17am
Msg #87852

Re: to: srnotary_CA

I am in Lancaster/Palmdale. Where are you? you can email me at [e-mail address].

Reply by Kelly M Robertson on 1/12/06 3:08pm
Msg #87939

We've Been Having Networking Luncheons for Over 5 Years

.. And, they've all been a great success! The drive will be well-worth it if you bring lots of business cards and are open to making new friends and learning new ways to market. RSVP Joan immediately - I'm not sure how much room is left for the Sunday event. Joan Bergstrom really knows how to put on a great bash and I understand that there are a lot of great door prizes from our many generous notary sponsors, a few speakers that will enlighten us on NEW 2006 California Notarial Law changes and an opportunity to socialize with "like minds". I always say, "what do you have to lose and what's the worst thing that could happen?" Perhaps that you'll get more work, a better understanding of what's going on in our state and maybe make a new friend of two!

Reply by Deborah DRM *24* Hour Personal Notary Service on 1/13/06 1:54pm
Msg #88225

Hey, how are you? What is your email address? Let's see what we can come up with. I feel you in regards to some of the replies, it's ok, I can dig it. We will earn our stripes one day. I am from the South so we tend to be on the kind side by nature. Looking forward to hearing from you. Debbie