Posted by michkenn on 9/9/07 10:20pm
Msg #210065

NNA conference question

This question is for the NSAs who have attended the conference - please. Is this conference worth attending (get good information and/or training) or is it a big networking conference? I would like to attend, but want to ensure that it is worth the time and money. Serious replies only please - I would appreciate it very much. Thank you.

Reply by michkenn on 9/9/07 10:31pm
Msg #210066

Never mind! I searched the forum, and found my answer - I think. Anyway, why is everyone bad mouthing the NNA?? I am new to the forum, and also a new NSA. I went through the NNA, and am a member. I would like to know more about the NNA from other NSAs, and please tell me if I need to change my membership for serious reasons, or is it mainly hear-say and opinions?! I'm trying to be informed. I don't login here everyday, but will check back!

Don't slam me or be sarcastic please. I am truly trying to be informed here. I noted that some people on here get testy and are can be too opinionated as well. Nice NSAs respond please!

Reply by John_NorCal on 9/9/07 11:14pm
Msg #210069

Hello Michelle and welcome!
NNA has a bad reputation for many reasons. Although they claim to be an advocate for notaries public, they have shown themselves to be merely a money making venture. They are a prime reason why there is an over aboundance of notaries. Many people have found that the NNA doesn't provide meaningful much less accurate information should you call with a question. They have churned out thousands of "signing agents" with a marketing enticement of making $80,000 or more a year. Don't let them fool you, they are strictly a money making venture. That is my humble opinion for what it's worth and what you paid for it. Good luck to you.

Reply by BobbiCT on 9/10/07 6:54am
Msg #210073

NNA membership & conference

Wait a year and Decide For Yourself.

If you are a BRAND NEW notary public and entering the signing agent field, then the NNA is one of MANY different venues to learn about your liability, duties and responsibilities as both. Among many other organizations, it will give you an idea of what is going on nationwide.

Again, if BRAND NEW and not active in PAN, you should consider the conference. If your budget permits, is a pick-and-choose learning opportunity and an opportunity socialize with notaries public from other states. As some pointed out, you will lose that end-of-month income from the loan signing portion of your business; however, with the number of NSAs already established in PA, this may not make a difference to your business model.

As a public official, your notarization business will probably not be effected by market changes, particularly if you are notarizing at the request of your employer. Good luck in entering the very competitive signing agent business, which as you know has seen a major downswing in business and upswing in NSAs just entering the field (experienced lender, mortgage and title company staff among those). If you haven't already done so, check your zip code on the many sites available to judge your competition within 20-25 miles of your work base.

Reply by Steven Carter on 9/10/07 12:23am
Msg #210071

I will put it to you this way, why would this group everhold a convention for notaries on the last days of the month is beyond me. I would love to go if it was a week later, but there is no way in hell, that I or any other signing agent should go to this and loose hundreds of dollars at month end. Makes absolutely no sense to me...........what were they thinking......I hope they have really terrible turnout......

Reply by Laurie Rangel on 9/10/07 5:42am
Msg #210072

I have been a member of the NNA for many years, I have never had any problems with them. When I called I received a response right a way. I do not feel that my money is wasted being a member. Like everything else put them to the test yourself call them see what happens use them they way they were ment to be used as a tool. As for turning out all these notaries, it is not up to the NNA it is the Secretary of State for each state that turns out bad notaries, because they don't do all the security check that they should.

The NNA like any other "organization" even this forum has it's good and it's bad people you need to decide which it is for you. If you have a good experance with them then stay with them and don't let others choose your fate for you.

Reply by LJ on 9/10/07 7:19am
Msg #210074

I have been a member of the NNA for 2 years. At first I got a couple calls for signings off their site. I haven't had a call from their site in over 6 months now. Most of my calls come from here or a couple other sites. I am dropping my membership come Nov. I am not renewing. I am really convinced some companies use NNA to find newbies willing to take their low fees so they can get some experience. I've gotten no benefit from NNA for quite sometime now. Time to spend my money elsewhere in advertising.

Reply by ToniK on 9/10/07 7:32am
Msg #210075

"As for turning out all these notaries, it is not up to the NNA it is the Secretary of State for each state that turns out bad notaries, because they don't do all the security check that they should."

I agree with this statement. I took the NNA signing agent course and they dont speak much on Notary duties specific to a state. WhenI read the first part of my course it had notary information from other state rather than my specific state. I bought a notary reference book for my specific state but Im going to my local community college to take a Notary Public basics course. NNA just lumps all states together as if all Notary laws in each state are uniform.

And to add to your statement. The Secretary of the State doesnt even check to see if you took a basic course on Notary Law. I think it should be a requirement to attend a local community college on the basics. Here in Va, Northern Virginia Community College offers the notary course for $95 and the signing agent course for $35. That is still less than what I paid for at the NNA.

Reply by thnotary_NY on 9/10/07 7:48am
Msg #210078

How much is the Certification course worth, if it's an open book exam.? In the span of less than 2 yrs., when I didn't renew, I got Maybe one or two calls for jobs. In the same time frame, I can't say how many letters I got to renew, even though it was far from renewal time. Nice pin though.!

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 9/10/07 7:40am
Msg #210076

Your Statement...

..."it is not up to the NNA it is the Secretary of State for each state that turns out bad notaries" on its face is somewhat of a true statement, but it fails to take into account WHY these "bad notaries" get into this business in the 1st place. I'd venture to say (& I have no credible way of measuring it statistically) if the NNA hadn't started actively recruiting the masses to become signing agents there wouldn't be half the Notaries in the US there are today. The NNA is the one who has done the marketing, not the individual SOS's across the country. The SOS's are just dealing with the aftermath of the NNA's handiwork & perhaps they should do a better job of ensuring their Notaries Public "are up to snuff" , but I lay the overwhelming numbers who apply directly at the feet of the NNA. In my opinion as a member of the NNA, Laurie, you're doing more than actively assisting in their marketing effort to glut the signing agent industry with more Notaries. I think you need to do some "testing" yourself.

Reply by Charm_AL on 9/10/07 7:57am
Msg #210079

"Like everything else put them to the test yourself call them see what happens use them they way they were ment to be used as a tool."

this statement scares me. I learned that I CANNOT rely on their answers, opinions or advice. They, themselves do not recognize that each state is different (laws) and continually give out general blanket answers. This, I learned very early, was not where I need to find education. and that is MY opinion.

Reply by MelissaCT on 9/10/07 8:34am
Msg #210086

I, too, was/am a member of the NNA. Unfortunately, I bought ahead, so I am still a member, but will not be renewing. At first, I did receive calls from my listing there, but haven't in a long, long time. I do know of some companies who absolutely WILL NOT use notaries listed there because of historically poor performance.

Then there was the "you must have a background check, per law" fiasco, where the NNA ended up backpeddling more than a politician. Now, they're claiming to be the only accredited place to be trained. Trained in what, I don't know.

Yes, open-book test is given. How much do you really retain of that? As for the SOS requiring credentials or such -- the NNA has provided more $$ in their coffers by marketing for people to become a notary. In CT, for instance, you send in your application with the fee. The application includes an open-book test. I've even heard that if you get a question wrong, the application is sent back to you with the wrongly-answered question circled in red for the answer to be corrected. Since the SOS is not liable for the actions of a notary, I believe they only conduct a background check (which only proves that a person hasn't been caught for a crime) & send out the notary certificate. -- Just because someone hasn't received a speeding ticket, doesn't mean they haven't ever driven above the speed limit. The CT application does ask why you're becoming a notary, but I don't believe that information is used to qualify or disqualify any applications.

I've never been to an NNA conference & really don't see the value in it. I feel the NNA is great at marketing, but doesn't always supply the support they claim. Their "fee structure" really brings the profession down to minimum wage and their publications border on sensationalizing the issues with hype.

These are my opinions on the subject.

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/10/07 8:36am
Msg #210087

I have been a NSA for 14 years. During that time I watched the NNA buy out the Nat'l Assoc. of Signing Agents and become what they are today: A huge marketing co. interested only in lining their pockets with every new notary's money. They have an agenda--more money--for whatever reason they can invent and push on the brainwashed. I have never been to a conference, nor, for that matter am I or have I ever been a member--because I watched it all happen and was appalled!
They are responsible for a huge increase in NSAs--who have lined the NNAs pockets by taking their 'test' to become certified--and whose messes I am called upon to clean up. They have a 'model' Notary way of doing things--might be pretty, but is wildly inaccurate for each state--and they don't care! All they care about is making more money from all the notaries they have created.
Proof? Well, their latest 'wonderful thing for Notaries' is to offer a discount on shipments thru DHL. First, we don't pay the shipping on loan docs. Second--DHL is the most unreliable overnight service out there. To me, this just shows how much they really know--or care--about being a NSA. Unless, of course, this is just the opening shot to their new campaign to those who hire us--- "Now you can require that the NSA pay for shipping the docs because ONLY the NNA offers them a shipping discount!" (So the NNA can get more notaries to join to get a discount.) That's very much how the background check got started. And why us 'oldies' don't much like the NNA. Also, there is no way that they should be 'suggesting' fees. We are, & always have been, Independent Contractors. As such, we set our own fees based upon the realities of our area--not some generalization based on nothing.

Reply by Julie/MI on 9/10/07 9:02am
Msg #210088

A LITTLE history

The XYZ formed in the late 50's. They are based in California. They are a non-profit organization. CA probably has the most requirements and products needed to become a notary public. The organizion you speak of, SELLS supplies.

The truth is, each state has their individual notarial laws, tests and procedures and notarial verbage, most have no tests and still have fine notaries. The truth is, it is not difficult to be a notary public so I personally don't think a notary organization is even necessary. I was a notary long before I ever heard of the organization. I was closing loans long before I heard of the organization.

In the mid to late 90's, the lenders began sending notaries to homes instead of the bank or title company. Since the notary was subcontracted instead of being employed, some concerns were there and a gal from Colorado that thought of the term signing agent and created a message board for those of us that were around in 2000.

That is where I heard about the organization and many raved about it. I always thought it was unnecessary, but I did pay to get listed with them and I was the only notary public listed in my county. The organization offered a certification option, which I begrudeingly took, even though I could teach them a thing or two. I had to incorrectly answer two questions, specific for my state, so I could get 100 percent. Many have reported incorrect answers to questions. Many said if you are certified why to you have to get recertified after 2 years? Again, so the organization can make more money.

Currently, the organization purchases the names and addresses of notaries directly from the secretary of state, and markets to them about becoming a notary signing agent. The goal is to tell all notaries about becoming a signing agent, so they can drive up sales of their classes and products.

Now in 2007, the mortgage market is way down, and there are too many notaries that do mortgage work and not enough loans to close, but the organization is still churning out folks like you.

Those are a few of the reasons why many are disgrunteled with the organization.

Reply by michkenn on 9/10/07 9:59pm
Msg #210247

Re: A LITTLE history

"but the organization is still churning out folks like you" Wow. I thought this was a tad harsh. I became an NSA because I wanted to be one, and the NNA was the first site that looked reputable at the time. When I was looking into becoming an NSA, notary web sites didn't look as reputable as the NNA did, so this is why I went with NNA. When you Google notary public you get a bit of everything, and I went with what appeared to be the best. Yes, advertising is key, and they did a great job at it. However, I would have become an NSA at some point anyway.

I take pride in being a notary and an NSA. I do not take it lightly. As for churning out folks like me, well, I am sure there are some out there that could be lumped in that bucket of not knowing what they are doing or what they got themselves into. However, I am NOT in that bucket so I take a slight offense to "churning out folks like you".

People on this forum shouldn't be so bitter towards any NSA that claims to be NNA affiliated. Attack the NNA, not the NSA as an individual. I am just trying to get started and become as knowledgeable as I can so that I can be the best NSA I can.

I was asking about the NNA conference, not a history lesson. However, thank you anyway.

Reply by NCLisa on 9/10/07 9:17am
Msg #210091

I joined the NNA in the mid '90's when there

were actually a reputable company. Now they are nothing but a money making machine that doesn't care that they are helping people loose their shirts by enterering this industry at this time. For the first time in over 10 years, I did not renew my membership with them this year. I had a total of 2 calls off their list. I get most of my calls from this directory and another one.

I would not waste my time or money on any endeavor that the NNA sponsors. Get involved with a local notary association like PAN. Look for local notary/NSA luncheons, things like that.

Reply by NCLisa on 9/10/07 10:12am
Msg #210096

Sorry of the typos and bad spelling - not enough coffee! n/m