Posted by Leon_CO on 2/5/07 1:52pm
Msg #174117
Pro Bono Notary Signing Agent
It doesn't seem possible that 'pro bono' can be used in the same sentence, or in the same context with 'notary signing agent'. All of the notary signing agent ads we see focus on what a "lucrative career" one can have. Most people probably think of notary signing agents as, in it only for the buck. Get rich quick. That sort of thing.
The irony is that, if you do a Google search on 'pro bono' you'll get millions of results. And most of those results have to do with the services that attorneys provide. Add the words 'notary signing agent' to the search and you come up with very little. It doesn't have to be that way.
We have the misconception that, if we want to elevate the status of the notary signing agent profession, we have to raise our fees. Make more money.
I don't think so. I contend that, if we want to elevate the status of the notary signing agent profession, we can do so by showing a different side to the notary signing agent. A side that is eager to reach out and offer our services to those in need -- just as attorneys, doctors, and other professionals have been doing for ages.
It doesn't require a huge expenditure of time. A couple of hours a month. Finding people who need our services isn't difficult. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity are always in need of help. There are many others.
I envision a day when notary signing agents are no longer stereotyped as people who look to make a fortune after attending a one day seminar. A day when notary signing agents are thought of as professionals. A day when we are thought of as people who want to give, and not just take.
Stephen Covey said, "Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and contribution."
Contribution means just that. Giving of our services, with no dollars attached. As notary signing agents we can achieve a modest amount of that type of greatness that Mr. Covey speaks of by making a contribution. I know that a lot of you are already involved in charitable work as notary signing agents. You are to be commended.
Let's change the way people perceive the notary signing agent so that, someday when someone mentions the words 'pro bono', they don't just think of doctors and lawyers. They also think of notary signing agents.
Good luck.
| Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/5/07 1:56pm
Msg #174119
Leon
I have never had a problem with some pro bono work as a Notary Public, but when I don my signing agent hat I expect to make some money.
I don't believe you meant do loan signings pro bono, but rather offer your notary services pro bono
| Reply by SueW/Tn on 2/5/07 2:12pm
Msg #174121
I agree with you Sylvia
and as a side note I offer pro bono services to senior citizens (I are one) and to our men and women active in the armed forces. I also offer my services to the borrower (NOT including anything to do with my SA services) once we've signed. I have met them at McDonald's etc. and notarize any docs they may have for school children etc. That has always been met with a smile from my BO's and gives me a feeling of contribution AND it's always at my convenience.
| Reply by cara on 2/5/07 2:26pm
Msg #174125
I agree that the notion of professionalism includes pro bono contribution of services to the community. That may be because I practiced law for 20 years and pro bono work was expected and encouraged from members of the bar. We were encouraged to contribute pro bono services. I agree with Sylvia that it is easier to do free, or pro bono publico (for the public good), notary services than NSA services. When I notarize docs for an individual, I am in total control of the billing and can easily write “n/c “in my journal and be sure that the signer is not charged for my efforts. With signings, I cannot control how much the LO or TC determines loan charges to be; even if I charge zip, that does not insure that the signer will not charged for my services. If I charge zero, then I do not get paid, but the signer my still have to pay for the signing in some way or another. Most NSA services involve loans to the borrower where the costs of the loan are factored in. Most pro bono work that I have done involves other documents were the signer is not receiving a financial benefit from the transaction. As a notary pubic, pro bono work is implied since the amount we charge is limited by statute to assure the public of an important service at a reasonable cost. As a NSA, I am a self-employed small business owner who seeks to earn a profit. As always, I am interested in everyone’s take on the topic.
| Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/5/07 2:49pm
Msg #174127
Become a Certified Pro-Bono Notary Sighing Agent...
Just send me $25 and a self notariezed statment that you will only do Pro-bono notay signing work Pro Per and I will send you a certificate suitable for framing on the finest beaten wood fiber avialable proclaining to the world that you are a CERTIFIED PRO-BONO nOTARY SIGNING AGENT. These certificates are individaully printed on the finest and rarest of Laser toners and are done on the same machines that regularly process loan documents. Don't wait long the NNA will soon be advertising certification courses and a special Pro-bono Notary Signing Agent Section on their world famous NNA Website for $127. Remember you too can be soon making the big bucks in Pro-bono signings. 
| Reply by Mia on 2/5/07 2:55pm
Msg #174129
Leon, did you just get back from a Habitat for Humanity Meeting? In your profile, you only
state that you do "Adoption" notarizations for no charge.
Many a NSA has felt that they have been doing "pro bono" work for some of these Companies
(i.e. not getting paid).
This is your statement: "We have the misconception that, if we want to elevate the status
of the notary signing agent profession, we have to raise our fees. Make more money."
Well, I for one, have to raise my fees. The cost of equipment, supplies, maintenance and
an increased amount of requirements (which I don't truly believe in), is costing more and more
each year.
You may be very lucky, and not have to live on what you make from this business. However,
I have to pay all my bills with what I earn.
| Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/5/07 3:21pm
Msg #174133
Pro bono for loan signing?r No way in the world!
Pro bono for those in hospitals, convelescent hospitals, or confined to home due to illness or injury?r YES! Several hours a month I do Power of Attorney, Living Will, Will, et cetera notarizations.
In order to remain in business, those of us who are professionals need to charge appropriate fees for our services. We often do not charge any fee (for various reasons) to do work for the public good.
| Reply by Gerry_VT on 2/5/07 3:59pm
Msg #174138
For those who wish to enjoy pro bono work, the Multiple Sclerosis bike-a-thons need notaries because they require notarized permission slips for minor participants. Furthermore, the adult participants are generally in great physical condition and wearing tight-fitting clothing.
Also, don't forget to deduct your milage at the charity rate (not the business rate).
| Reply by Roger_OH on 2/5/07 4:31pm
Msg #174140
I too have no problem with occasional pro bono, especially for senior citizens and charitable organizations. Don't usually extend it to adoptions, however, as those costs are generally tax-deductible to the prospective parents.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/6/07 2:40am
Msg #174202
Leon, I can tell you mean well, but I disagree with your reasoning in a number of areas. For some reason this one hit my analytical button tonight, so I'm copying your post and adding some comments in brackets and others at the end. (BTW, please read this as a dialogue, not a critique...)
"It doesn't seem possible that 'pro bono' can be used in the same sentence, or in the same context with 'notary signing agent'."
[That could be because the term is most closely associated with attorneys and legal work.]
All of the notary signing agent ads we see focus on what a "lucrative career" one can have. Most people probably think of notary signing agents as, in it only for the buck. Get rich quick. That sort of thing.
[The ads are designed to lure people into the classes, right or wrong, and some of the people who take the bait ARE in it just to make a quick, easy buck. At least that's their goal. What others think is also a reflection on how we conduct ourselves. Beyond that, we can't control what others think.]
The irony is that, if you do a Google search on 'pro bono' you'll get millions of results. And most of those results have to do with the services that attorneys provide. Add the words 'notary signing agent' to the search and you come up with very little. It doesn't have to be that way.
[The term "signing agent" hasn't been around that long so is less likely to pop up in a search, let alone with the term "pro bono". And possibly SAs would use the term "no charge" rather than "pro bono". In my mind, pro bono implies giving something back. Many lawyers make extremely high incomes, which may be part of the reason why there is the public *expectation* of doing pro bono work. SAs - even the best and busiest - couldn't begin to come close to what some of them can make. And I think most people expect even their doctors to charge appropriately for their services.]
We have the misconception that, if we want to elevate the status of the notary signing agent profession, we have to raise our fees. Make more money.
[I'm not sure that's true. I think they are two separate issues. When I think of elevating the "status of the notary signing agent profession", I don't think in terms of fees, but rather competence, business-like conduct, integrity, ethics, etc. And the very definition of a "professional" is someone who makes a living from a certain activity. So our fees should be sufficient for those of us who do this as a full time enterprise to make at least a modest living. I don't see that as going contrary to a positive image for SAs.]
I don't think so. I contend that, if we want to elevate the status of the notary signing agent profession, we can do so by showing a different side to the notary signing agent. A side that is eager to reach out and offer our services to those in need -- just as attorneys, doctors, and other professionals have been doing for ages.
It doesn't require a huge expenditure of time. A couple of hours a month. Finding people who need our services isn't difficult. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity are always in need of help. There are many others.
I envision a day when notary signing agents are no longer stereotyped as people who look to make a fortune after attending a one day seminar.
[Well, we could try shutting down the NNA and all the other companies who are advertising to fill training classes, but I don't think that's likely to happen. Personally, it's never occured to me that people might think that of me. And I've had the opposite reaction from a few.]
A day when notary signing agents are thought of as professionals. A day when we are thought of as people who want to give, and not just take.
Stephen Covey said, "Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and contribution."
Contribution means just that. Giving of our services, with no dollars attached. As notary signing agents we can achieve a modest amount of that type of greatness that Mr. Covey speaks of by making a contribution. I know that a lot of you are already involved in charitable work as notary signing agents. You are to be commended.
Let's change the way people perceive the notary signing agent so that, someday when someone mentions the words 'pro bono', they don't just think of doctors and lawyers. They also think of notary signing agents.
[I think the other posts prove that many notaries DO offer "pro bono" services and I'm sure they are only the tip of the iceberg. Many of us were notaries public before we were NSAs and still have a sense of being part public servant. But I don't think those services are being provided in order to elevate the status of the NP profession, but because they DO want to contribute. And doing some notarizing for free isn't likely to make the newspapers.
Also, the "contribution" that Covey refers to can come in many forms beyond one's profession. If we took a poll, I'm sure we would find that many of us contribute in a variety of ways to good causes. We not only make the occasional donations but also contribute time, energy and whatever else we might have to offer to favorite charities and causes we believe in. I'd venture a guess that as a group, notaries public probably are more involved in making miscellaneous contributions to their communities than the public at large. And hopefully we do it for the right reasons, not to make ourselves look good.
I'll say again, the best way to elevate our field is to do a good job, know our business, conduct ourselves professionally and ethically at all times, and operate as a business person (not an employee). We provide a service that has value and should expect to be fairly compensated for our efforts. But I completely agree that being an SA is NOT all about making a quick, easy buck. (We know better, don't we! ;>) Beyond that, I don't think it's worth losing sleep over stereotypes.]
| Reply by lenelle/FL on 2/6/07 9:28am
Msg #174244
Very well said, Janet. n/m
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