Posted by Vince/KS on 9/4/08 3:41pm
Msg #263206

Heart of America Signing Agents Network

Heart of America Signing Agents Network

If you have an interest in participating in this Eastern Kansas / Western Missouri (northern?) area network please read on. Another meeting will be scheduled within the next month or so. If you are interested in attending the next meeting, please contact me.

A small group of people met today to discuss the possibility of forming a regional signing agents network. The one hour meeting discussed some preliminary items to be considered before proceeding. Following is a brief outline of the discussion:

Defining the goals of the network.

I. Qualifications of Participants
A. Members Certification by a known entity (ie: SAR, 123, other?).
B. Minimum number of completed closings (number and verification?).
C. Years of Experience completing closings (not simply as a notary)
D. Professional Resume to be available to clients with other network members
E. Education of member
F. Availability (24 hour by appointment only?).
G. Geographic Area to be Covered in Eastern Kansas, Western Missouri (by counties).
H. Information to be shared to members (where to draw lines on client information?).
I. Minimum Equipment Specifications
J. Substitutions of credit for most of the above based upon additional experience (guidelines)

II. Services to be provided
A. Advertising to Clients within market area
B. Advertising to clients outside market area but needing service within area
C. Potential for duplication (accepting and agreeing to limit coverage withing areas?)
D. Kinds of closings and ancillary services listed by member (refinance, purchases, reverse mortgages, etc. inspections and any other?).

III. Other
A. How many members to allow entry (limit by area services provided)
B. Turnover (how to transfer “membership” from to old/new members).
C. Policing membership (minimum stated ethical standards?).
D. Fee structure within network assignments (to include standard fee, excess package size rates, faxback requirements, mileage, no show, and or other failure to fund scenarios, cancellations).
E. Network assignments point of contact - who collects individual members and/or compensated service.
F. Collective and/or individual guarantee.
G. Quarterly or semi-annual meetings to assess progress and goal achievement.
H. More?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/4/08 7:07pm
Msg #263214

Good luck, Vince, networks are going to do away with the majority of SS in the future.
You are on the right track, and I encourage any qualified NSA to participate in a network.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 9/4/08 10:32pm
Msg #263241

Congratulations on taking charge of your future Vince.

As you might know I am very much in favor of notary networks: notaries working for notaries, it just doesn't get any better than that. The only thing that I might add and I really don't know how the other networks handle it (Brenda or Becca please chime in here) but I don't put a lot of credence in certification. I think that it would be better for the network to certify its participants. Peer certification in my opinion is the best way to go and there are several ways to do this. One way might be to have members referred by two current members who know their work. Another was is by interview with a board of members selected for their knowledge. It is quite obvious on this site who the knowledgeable members are and so it would in a smaller organization. Just a suggestion on my part. Unfortunately I have found frequently those who certify do so with a standardized test and those who get certified generally study the test questions and really have no grasp of the substance of the process. Good luck, the Midwest needs an organization of notaries for notaries and not some company trying to set themselves up as benefactors of notaries: the needs and culture are at odds.

Reply by Vince/KS on 9/5/08 9:11am
Msg #263259

Re: Congratulations on taking charge of your future Vince.

Charles thank for your comments. This project is a result of Julie (KS) wanting to get something going and she took the first step. My concern is that if a network is to be formed, each of its members must agree to whatever the standards are. The standards must not be so tight that no one will agree, nor so slack that it attracts persons that cannot perform or are one that would not be acceptable to clients.

Certification may or not be important by itself, that is where a substitution (as mentioned in the outline) might occur. For instance, if the person has VERIFIED closings of 1,200, and the minimum is say 200, would that be sufficient to substitute for the certification (but not other requirements). Again, I have no idea what the potential members will agree on.

Each will still be independent contractors. Each will likely be required to carry a minimum E & O policy. And so on. I’m certain that any persons will view entry into this with caution. For instance - will all persons in the network automatically be expected to fill assignments with all title companies involved (or screen them like the notaries)? Will each have to reveal their own clients - I see a lot of resistance to that one and it may not be required.

The original thread message above was posted on three forums. E-mails inviting interest were sent to only the first 25 premier members here (within 75 miles of my zip) and no where else at this time. That isn’t to say that no one else would be considered. Hopefully, word of mouth will also help get the word out, and hopefully it will mostly go to those that may be considered for entry.

Reply by MichiganAl on 9/4/08 11:29pm
Msg #263246

Awesome Vince

You're definitely on the right track in setting up specific requirements, ethical standards, and guidelines. I'd be careful about setting up a specific fee structure. That could be construed as collusion.

The Michigan Notary Network guidelines can be downloaded from the "Qualifications" page of our site (again, much credit goes to networks in states that went before us). You're welcome to download them as a guide or starting point.

Reply by Vince/KS on 9/5/08 9:27am
Msg #263260

Re: Awesome Vince

Thank you, I did download the information and also Florida's brochure. One of the items discussed yesterday was if xyz's certification would be acceptable. A quick response was that no, it had to be from a respected organization that actually taught something beyond point and sign technique. So other programs were discussed as probably being acceptable. Perhaps this is why Charles mentioned what he did above and why a high number of actual verified closings might substitute for the requirement.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 9/5/08 10:22am
Msg #263263

About certification requirements

Having a Certification isn't just an indication of any expertise - it also illustrates another component of an applicant's (dare I use the word) professionalism, and this is the reason the MI Network requires one. The other aspect I'm referring to is a person's MARKETING savvy, their willingness to invest in their NSA business, their history of using available tools to further elevate themselves in our field. Anything that can put you front/foremost on an otherwise dizzying list is a valuable tool.

While the debate of whether or not a Certification actually depicts an accurate picture of a person's NSA-specific skills can go on until next Tuesday - these Certifications DO allow greater marketing ROI (placing your listing higher or more prominently on most of the relevant databases). Sometimes, NOT having any Certification can beg a question, when you're looking at a list like our vendors do. Do they really have any widespread understanding of which test was harder or which test is the most meaningless - or do they simply look at a listing and say "OK, this one has all the bells and whistles - must mean something."

Marketing is definitely key to the success of a network, key to any successful business, and by deduction, key to every individual member within the Network.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 9/5/08 10:49am
Msg #263264

Re: About certification requirements

As stated, there are certifications and there are certifications. Many complaints about the quality of the SA knowledge certified by a company (not organization) that really knows how to market itself. Lenders & TC's base their belief in the marketing itself.
That is my testament to the value of marketing and certification. The company is one big marketing machine. The quality of its product is secondary because of the volume of available notaries in their data base.
So yes, some kind of quality control within the network is important. Bottom line, if you are referring your client to someone else, you are putting your relationship with that client on the line. You want to be really sure they are competant.
Vince, isn't Mo the show me state?

Reply by MichiganAl on 9/5/08 12:37pm
Msg #263277

Re: Awesome Vince

For us, part of the decision was about perception. Even though we know that certain certifications may be worthless, there are still some in the industry who think they're worth something. If it satisfies a potential client's needs and has value to them, then we want to meet that need.

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 9/6/08 4:44pm
Msg #263411

Great news, just wanted to clarify

This is good news Vince. I am happy to hear this. Networks are the place to be. Any help you need, just ask. You can visit the CaliforniaNSAnetwork.com for info and asisstance as well.

**** I also wanted to clarify that the majority of state networks (that are holding to the highest standards) do not charge a referral fee of any kind. We are NOT notaries working for notaries. We ARE notaries referring other notaries, with no fee involved.