Posted by MichiganAl on 8/15/08 10:00am
Msg #260165

NSA Professional Standards

Renee Kovacs and I have been working on starting our own Michigan network over the last month. I won't get into it any further or post any links because frankly, I think we've all seen more than enough advertising and link posting lately. But part of the project includes setting standards for what we think an NSA should be/could be. This was put together through input from many individuals and other state networks. Just some food for thought:

Provide clear & accurate loan document presentations at signings - Describe to the borrower the documents being signed and point out the terms of the loan. Understand the difference between this and UPL. An "exceptionally professional" loan signing agent is NOT just a notary who points & obtains signatures.

Guarantee the accuracy of our services 100% - Should our work ever contain an error or omission accountable to us, correct it and resolve it IMMEDIATELY and at our own expense.

Value our profession - understand how undervaluing our service and professional skill impacts the industry as a whole. Place a respectable value to our business, our services, our knowledge & professionalism, and our industry as a whole.

Understand & uphold the GLBA, the Privacy Act, and proper business ethics - All information pertaining to a borrower is to be held in accordance with these Acts, which INCLUDES our absolute abstinence from marketing anything, in any way, to any borrower or signer at any time, for any reason with the SINGLE exception of notary services (where appropriate). This includes but is not limited to mentioning ANY affiliations we may have with products (such as Mary Kay, Avon, etc) or services (such as Money Merge Accounts, Pre-Paid Legal, Real Estate, etc).

A WRITTEN Privacy Policy.

Have the appropriate hardware & software needed, and the skill to use them - Including a laser printer, have high-speed internet service, available fax service, and are reachable by phone and/or e-mail at any reasonable hour. Maintain accurate business records, have an organized process, and conduct ourselves as a Small Business owner rather than a Notary with a hobby.

Complete familiarity with our own state Notary Public Act - Knowledge of the laws governing Notary Publics allows us to be exceptional in our field, and prevents us from ever submitting to any person's attempt to intimidate us into performing an illegal act. Never compromise the laws by performing illegal acts, including but not limited to falsifying a date on our notarial certificates, accepting less than satisfactory identification, or participating in something we suspect could be illegal or unethical.

Strive for same-day return shipping of loan packages - Understand our clients' need for expediency AS WELL AS accuracy. Return all packages the same day whenever the appointment time allows for it. Understand that this is one of our clients' most frequent complaints of the notary loan signing industry and as an exceptional NSA, we view same-day shipping as a crucial part of our service.

Know when to ask a question, and whom to ask - Understand that it is always better to ASK for direction than to risk doing something wrong. An exceptional professional knows when to ask, and also knows where to go for the correct answer, and does not fail to ensure that they understand precisely how to provide accurate service at all times.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/15/08 12:00pm
Msg #260180

Well-said! n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/15/08 12:30pm
Msg #260182

Perfect. n/m

Reply by DellaCa on 8/15/08 12:49pm
Msg #260186

Re: In Total Agreement n/m

Reply by hcampersFL on 8/15/08 12:53pm
Msg #260187

Love it!!! n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 8/15/08 1:01pm
Msg #260189

Excellent Work!

Concise, clear, easily understood. Well thought through.

Reply by LynnNC on 8/15/08 1:29pm
Msg #260194

Well-done! n/m

Reply by Gerry_VT on 8/15/08 2:04pm
Msg #260201

Except perhaps in Louisiana, notaries are not professionals

An occupation is not necessarily a profession. In the legal field, lawyers and judges are professonals. Paralegals and notaries are not. This might not be true in Lousiana, where
the authority and examination requirements for notaries are much higher than the rest
of the country.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 8/15/08 2:50pm
Msg #260219

You're right Gerry, but some people don't let definitions

in the way!

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/15/08 8:34pm
Msg #260272

I like "notaries professional".

I'm probably one of those who wouldn't let it get in my way. But what do I know. I am a huge fan of "That 70's Show."

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/16/08 6:07am
Msg #260288

Charles, let's see how long ...

...you will leave your profile as is, as a shining and proper example of the correct use of the English language. I'm betting the "last edit" date changes about 4 minutes after you read this, but I dare you Mr. Peavey, leave it. Let us all see why we're not supposed to throw stones at each other.

This is like eating salmon twice a year. I don't really care for salmon, but I feel like I SHOULD, because it's supposed to be so good for me. I want to like salmon, and I even find it visually appealing. A couple times a year, enough time lapses that I think "gee, I bet I'll like it, it really looks so good." I eat it - ech, nope, still don't like it.

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/16/08 2:12pm
Msg #260339

Renee, whatever do you mean?

Are you talking about the misspelling of the word extension, or the misspelling of the word teleconferencing, or the misspelling of the word maintain, or the misspelling of the word encryption, or the misspelling of the word your, or the use of the word professional, or the sentence "Thank you for looking at me" (I thought we were looking at his profile, not at him), or the redundancy (I now offer a complete extension of your office, consider me an extension of your office)? You see, it's easy to analyze every word and every phrase and completely miss the real message.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 8/16/08 8:05am
Msg #260296

Like football,baseball and even bridge players seem to be

misrepresenting themselves and don't get me started on "the world's oldest profession." One can act in a professional manner without having the proper paper trail to back them up. I think you may need to broaden your definition just a tad.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/16/08 5:52am
Msg #260287

Did they move Vermont to LA?

I'm sorry, Gerry, but I just find your comment to be incredibly petty. If I were inclined to be so nit-picky, I might point out your own use of the same term within your profile. At least you found something to balance the energy, lest Alex come away thinking he'd accomplished something completely positive through all his hard work.

Reply by Gerry_VT on 8/16/08 12:48pm
Msg #260325

Re: Did they move Vermont to LA?

ReneeK wrote "If I were inclined to be so nit-picky, I might point out your own use of the same term within your profile." You have a good point; I failed to mention in my profile that I would provide professional services related to cryptography and computers as an electronics engineer, not as a notary.

Reply by Gerry_VT on 8/16/08 12:59pm
Msg #260328

My concept of a professional

There is no hard-and-fast definition of a professional, but here is my general concept. A professional has substantial on-the-job or university training, and is at the top of his/her field. That is, when a professional needs advice, there is no occupation with a higher level of qualification to go to; the professional has to go to a peer. So notaries get advice from lawyers, but lawyers get advice from other lawyers. Electricians get advice from electrical engineers, but electrical engineers go to other engineers. Plumbers get advice from mechanical or sanitary engineers, but those engineers get advice from other engineers. Bookeepers go to accountants, but accountants go to other accountants.

Sometimes that concept doesn't quite work; for example, registered nurses turn to MDs for advice (or orders), but their training is too extensive to say they are not professionals.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/16/08 8:53pm
Msg #260355

Quick definition...

I looked it up at Dictionary.com and here is the first definition that showed up: "following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain". Twelve other definitions followed, most somewhat similar, or referring to a level of expertise. Good enough for me!

Reply by Brenda/CA on 8/15/08 4:03pm
Msg #260239

Excellent post! Very well written.

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/15/08 5:05pm
Msg #260254

Now I'd love to take the credit...

But as I said, this was a compilation from different individuals. And the credit for putting it together so eloquently goes to Renee.

Reply by Manfred Ronnisch on 8/16/08 7:39pm
Msg #260353

Re: Now I'd love to take the credit...

Actually the credit should go to Dorothy Matsel, the Founder of the Michigan Mobile Loan Closer Network,Which You and Renee are no longer members of.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/16/08 8:42pm
Msg #260354

How so?

If we are going to split hairs, Brenda/TX deserves the credit by setting the standards with the Texas Network, long before Dorothy began the first MI network.
The Florida Network also has similar standards, and as the second state professional network, we are proud to say we indeed modeled our network after the Texas Network, as did the rest of the professional state networks.

Reply by hcampersFL on 8/16/08 11:57pm
Msg #260365

Re: How so?

You know what is funny??? We know the truth. We developed our Terms and Conditions by following the premier standard set by the Texas Network. We have models set in place and encouraged Alex and Renee to take the leap and follow with other Networks nationwide to bring the industry we work in to a more professional level. Now that they have others as usual will find fault, and if they can't find any they will make it up.

Grow up! You had your chance, now don't be spewing sour grapes!

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/16/08 9:03pm
Msg #260356

Re: Now I'd love to take the credit...

Manfred, you really know not what you speak of. Renee and I left your network for exactly this reason; there were no specific written guidelines or standards and no interest in setting the kind of standards that other networks already had in place. But by all means, I'd love to see absolutely any documentation or proof of that claim. I have your brochure right here, no standards or guidelines listed at all other than members are selected "after considerable scrutiny and evaluation." Incredibly vague to say the least. I know there was nothing on the website documenting any standards or guidelines because I'm the one who built and maintained the site. And if there are ethical standards, why is Dorothy and another member of your network attempting to sell UFirst money merger products to borrowers? Surely any guidelines or standards would forbid such behavior.

I can tell you that members and administrators from the various other state networks originated these kinds of standards and guidelines. We relied heavily on input and previously documented standards set by Rebecca Fair and others in Florida, Brenda Stone and others in Texas, and various other networks (with their permission). Any other claim is baseless and pure hogwash.

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/17/08 10:00am
Msg #260375

Manfred, I would be happy to share an email I sent to DM

attaching the Florida Network Terms and Conditions that were used to create the New MI Networks standards. As the author of the Florida Network Terms and Conditions (modeled after the TX standards) I can assure you that you are completely misinformed.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 8/15/08 5:00pm
Msg #260252

A minor point...

"Complete familiarity with our own state Notary Public Act - Knowledge of the laws governing Notary Publics allows us to be exceptional in our field"
^^^^^^^^^

The correct term is "Notaries Public"... it's kinda hard to be exceptional in your field when you don't even know what your proper title is...

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/15/08 5:02pm
Msg #260253

Good Point! n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/16/08 6:14am
Msg #260289

Whew - thanks for that, Mike! =)

Fundamental, but still slipped past us - much appreciated!

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/16/08 6:55am
Msg #260292

Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public

Check out this link: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/notariopublicoarticle.shtml
or this one:
http://www.sos.state.ms.us/busserv/notaries/DefaultList.asp?City_Name=LUMBERTON&County_Name=+


You'll see that "notary publics" is being used. I refer "notaries public" but for the sake of argument as to correctness....aw heck, just google the term "notary publics" and you'll see what I mean.

It's become interchangeable.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/16/08 6:57am
Msg #260293

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public - I meant

'I "prefer"' not "I >>refer<< 'notaries public' ".

Reply by jba/fl on 8/16/08 7:09am
Msg #260294

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public

I refer to Notary Publics when they are a group to be addressed, and actually prefer that over Notaries Public, but prefer to refer to more than one notary as notaries.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/16/08 7:35am
Msg #260295

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public - aw heck, jba

You don't see a place anywhere for "Notarys"?

It drives me crazy to see that when there's no apostrophe as in "notary's" (which, by the way means possessive case for those who wonder about this insanity of mine which whispers to me that spelling is still important in the year 2008).

Another brick in my crazy yellow road...SSs seem to be one of the biggest offenders where spelling of every day terms in this business comes into play. For whatever reason, it never seems to occur to any of them to use a spelling checker.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/16/08 8:31am
Msg #260299

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public - aw heck, jba

Actually, I do see place for 'notarys' - every time I type it, then correct it, as I can see the flack coming. I really don't know - haven 't researched it. Didn't read your links either - perhaps I should start there?

Just plodding along . . .

Reply by Gerry_VT on 8/16/08 11:50am
Msg #260314

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public - aw heck, jba

I ran all the variations mentioned in this thread through my favorite spell-checker for web postings (Emacs for Windows with Aspell). The only words it complained about were "notarys" and "public's". Of course, it only looks at one word at a time, so since "notary" is OK, and "publics" is OK, it considers "notary publics" OK too.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/17/08 3:48am
Msg #260367

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public - aw heck, jba

That could be the difference between a spell check and grammar check, since when you consider each word taken individually, they are correctly spelled -- HOWEVER, a grammarian would likely consider it incorrect...

Reply by MikeC/NY on 8/16/08 1:21pm
Msg #260331

Re: Notary Publics vs. Notaries Public

"It's become interchangeable."

That doesn't mean it's right...

Reply by MW/VA on 8/16/08 6:52am
Msg #260291

This is great! Many of us operate under this kind of standard. I'm curious--do you have any examples of the "Written Privacy Policy"?

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/16/08 9:12am
Msg #260300

on my site, MW =) n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/16/08 11:36am
Msg #260311

This is such a worthy post I added it to #33325 n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/17/08 3:50am
Msg #260368

I agree! Good idea! n/m