Posted by ToniK on 8/25/07 5:54pm
Msg #207683

Wouldnt it be easier

if Harry had a forum for newbies? It would have the most revelant information in there. OR make a section on this board for FAQ's on newbie questions and business information?

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 8/25/07 5:59pm
Msg #207685

Yes, it would be easier for all concerned

but if they don't even read the large paragraph that comes up when they go to post what makes anyone think, they'd follow the directions to the "newbie" pages.

Reply by OR on 8/25/07 6:28pm
Msg #207688

Who would post there?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/25/07 6:49pm
Msg #207689

"Who would post there?"

Newbies

Reply by Lee/AR on 8/25/07 6:51pm
Msg #207691

There is one. It's a different board.

Reply by Rachel/ORWA on 8/25/07 7:28pm
Msg #207692

Personally, I like the format of this forum. I came here as a "newbie." I lurked and read and read and lurked and read some more. I have also asked questions, after searching without result, and received extremely helpful answers.

I also like some of the other boards, which are a little less blunt in atmosphere, but I have learned the most here. I wouldn't change it.

Reply by John_NorCal on 8/25/07 7:37pm
Msg #207693

The operative words that you used were "lurked" and "read." As in so much of life, if a person would only stand back, lurk/observe, read/investigate they will learn so much. It's when people come in and immediately ask "how do I" "where do I" and "how much should I" that the hackles are raised on people who have spent many hours and much effort to obtain the information that has been requested in 5 minutes by someone who will not do their homework.
I enjoy this forum, I find a plethora of useful information even for an old guy like me and I enjoy the support that is given freely. No, a newbie forum is not the answer, but lurking, reading, discovering are the keys to the "signing agent kingdom."

Reply by claudine osborne on 8/25/07 10:32pm
Msg #207700

I like many others read, lurked and searched a lot before even daring to post. I have also looked at other forums, and this by far this is the BEST! I have learned so much more here than anywhere else! I don't bother with the rest! Thank you everyone!

Reply by Kathy/ID on 8/25/07 10:51pm
Msg #207706

I am a fairly new signing agent. I have lurked and read mostly. I do not post much but have learned alot. I search before asking any questions.

Reply by thnotary_NY on 8/26/07 12:13pm
Msg #207731

And who, would answer all those questions.??? IMHO, I think that would be more of a dis-service than a service. Come to the party, rub elbows and learn.

Reply by Cheryl Anderson on 8/26/07 2:56pm
Msg #207747

Re: Wouldnt it be easier...LONG...

I, as a "newbie," partially agree with Tonik on the subject of having a specific section just for the "greenies" fresh out of (and I say this cautiously...) "TRAINING." I also think it would be an excellent idea, and of course this is just my own personal opinion based on my own experience, that newbies be encouraged to list the sources of their training (not required, but encouraged) so that these loan signing training seminars might get wind that WE ARE THEIR BEST ADVERTISERS, and perhaps they will sharpen up their training techniques so when we do venture out, we can define ourselves as at least slightly or remotely trained BY THEM.

Joining this forum was exciting and extremely informative for me. I approached my participation in this forum, thank goodness, in a way where I did a lot of research first. I must say that I realized very quickly that I really didn't know squat, but coming out of the particular seminar that I took versus what is expected realistically was quite disconcerting. So, I indulged and invested myself into a lot more training through different sources.

I don't know if a newbie section would necessarily be the answer for all, but it definitely provokes thought. I take this profession wholeheartedly and truly want to do my best. I am not barraged by calls for signings all day, and I haven't risked my families lifestyle to make it a go in such a business that may be unpredictably precarious. However I am in a position to "take it slow but deliberately, because I HAVEN'T QUIT MY DAY JOB! But I do advertise and I do constantly read up on anything and everything that pertains to notary work.

All in all, I think that these training seminars need to be more responsible and give slightly newer perspectives on the nature of this business. I think their names should be out there a little bit more so everyone knows where the "good training" is coming from. It is a shame and embarrassing and I think they should be partially accountable.

I had the good fortune of help by a wonderful mentor (and now friend) whom I met on this forum, whom I am so proud of because she is doing very well and her inspiration is wonderful. Her ability to guide me and teach me came from a basis of excellent training and forethought. I learned more in one afternoon from her than in the seminar I took back in March. This works for me, and based on how I am capable of retaining information as a somewhat intelligent woman, I am open for any and all opinions/scrutiny/harsh reality, etc.. I like the way this forum works. And although it is obviously frustrating for some of the seasoned (I really don't like to use that word, it makes someone sound "old", but for lack of a better term...) notaries on here, to be constantly inundated with the same ole' questions, you still lead those prospectives in the right direction, and give them (and me) a dose of reality that they (we) lack coming fresh from class.

I am grateful and thankful for Notary Rotary and all its members. I'm a better notary because of it.

Reply by MelissaCT on 8/26/07 3:43pm
Msg #207754

Re: The "new" people who posted here have one thing in

common. They did their due diligence and have a respect for both themselves and others. It becomes a pleasure to help those who help themselves. I doubt one would find chastising remaks to their questions because they are the types to actually ask intelligent ones. Questions of clarification, experience and true knowledge are welcomed here.

I don't see a benefit of a newbies section, where everything is sugar-coated & the (notary) world seen through rose-colored glasses. If it's a spade, call it a spade. That's the real-deal and for those who are notary enough to handle the truth, they will do well.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/26/07 6:25pm
Msg #207771

Re: The "new" people who posted here have one thing in

I agree with both parts of your post. Additionally, I don't think that a newbie section would really be in the best interest of the newbies, themselves, even if they did manage to find it. I suspect most of the people they should want to hear from wouldn't frequent that section as much, if at all. I imagine there would be some of the more experienced who would go to that section to help, out of sheer kindness, but I suspect there would also be a lot of the blind leading the blind, so to speak. We have seen some examples in the past of situations where those who have a little bit of experience (maybe just enough to be dangerous ) are giving advice sounding as if they are experts. It's a stage we all probably went throught to some extent, thinking we've finally got it all figured out, only to later learn that we don't know what we don't know - and that we never can know it all.

The newbie doesn't yet have any idea about who they should listen to and who they should ignore for now, so they may be taking as gospel, advice from some who fall into the category of "often wrong, never in doubt". I've seen this on other boards that I view infrequently and it just makes my head spin sometimes. There just isn't enough time to try to counter some of the "stuff" that gets posted.

And it IS nice to hear, for a change, from some of you who have enough sense to not come barging in here looking for a quick handout or for someone else to make things easy for you.
Good for you!!!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 8/26/07 10:38pm
Msg #207783

Re: The "new" people who posted here have one thing in

Good post JanetK. I know I for one would probably nto spend a lot of time on a newbie forum. I enjoy many of the poeple on this forum and if I'm browsing this forum for current issues or just to see what is on peoples minds, I certainly don't mind helping someone out. However I hate the entitle mentmentality. I knwo that I share the wrath of some newbies withosme of the best notaries on here. I've been asked for my business plan figures and all to allow someone to apply for an SBA loan because they needed to buy a new car, yes she didn't care a whit about the business she just wanted the money. I've been reviled because I stated that anyone without a plan shouldn't be in business and frankly I have very little compassion left for anyone who starts in this or any other business without checking it out in advance. If they fail then they deserve to. I think that a newbie section wold have the newbies tgalking to themselves and as someone said "the blind leading the blind" Additionally we have had some strange people purporting to know and then given the newbies some very wrong information setting them up for serious legal liability.