Posted by John Schenk on 6/23/09 9:46pm
Msg #293321

DON'T BE NASTY! RESPECT YOUR BRETHEREN NOTARIES!

It seems this board can go ZERO to SIXTY in a heartbeat, on some posts. Some, it may be warranted. Others, you guys need to chill out!

We are NOT each others' enemies, but sometimes folks get treated like that, and I really don't think that is right. Nasty posts hurt this board, its reputation, and the reputation of NOTARIES in general.

I KNOW that there are a lot of TC and SS's monitor this board, and that is a HUGE credit to the board. SSs and TCs are members of this board, so DUH...but they don't all speak up, and most won't.

I think that we should bash the hell out of companies that do not pay us timely. They deserve it! I think we should give accolades to companies that hire us and pay us timely, because THEY deserve it! Signing Central is a SUPER SUPER place to look to see how companies pay, and I urge EVERYONE to keep updating that on the companies as often as you do a signing for them. I have not been good at that, but DO plan to do better...my bad.

WE ALL just want to book a signing, get our docs timely, and get paid a reasonable fee, which is whatever is reasonable in your area which certainly varies, and get paid for a service we render, proportionate to the quality of service that we do, no matter whether we are in a HUGE METROPOLITAN area, or in small area, the latter of which I am.

DON'T BE NASTY TO EACH OTHER BECAUSE YOU'RE HAVING A BAD WEEK/MONTH/YEAR. It's certainly not your brother/sister notary that caused that. RESPECT you bretheren, as they earn your respect. I'm not saying that nits don't come in and ruin the scheme of things by accepting ridiculously low prices to go do a loan closing...just mean people that go do a closing for a reasonable fee..you can bash the rest LOL...

Notary fees are NOT like Gas Prices. WE can't change them every day like the price of gas. DO YOUR JOB, AND DO IT WELL! YOU will benefit ALL of us by doing so. Charge a reasonable fee for your area, whatever that may be. Be KIND to your fellow notaries, as we ARE a group to be reckoned with, and individuals to be reckoned with in our own particular areas of service.

Don't sell yourself out cheap! WE will all becomes whores if we don't present ourselves as professionals, and charge a reasonable fee, for or local.

It's busier here for me than I want lately, but that won't last long. I'm just a part timer, so I know all of you that do it full time have a different set of rules. No matter what your rules are, don't bash your fellow notaries and run quickly to make a nasty post on ANY board. That doesn't help us as a whole, or individually.

Let's be UNITED, as Notaries, and voice our differences in our opinions to each other without bringing in things that are off topic, or just nasty. What you think?

JJ

Reply by John Schenk on 6/23/09 10:02pm
Msg #293323

I didn't think this should be "Liesure" section...

although if the board mod thinks it should be, that would be fine.

Have a super night!

JJ :-)

Reply by Becca_FL on 6/23/09 10:38pm
Msg #293325

Who died and made you the NotRot Popo?

AND, who the heck are you anyway? You show up out of nowhere and start adding your views to every post...,and I MEAN EVERY post. Who the hell are you anyway? And, why should we listen to you?????Hahahaahahahahahahaha
Get a grip, we're over you.

Reply by John Schenk on 6/23/09 11:09pm
Msg #293327

Re: Who died and made you the NotRot Popo?

First of all, I don't add my views to EVERY POST. I'm must another notary, with an opinion and some input. You don't have to agree with it, but hopefully it's received as being a positive opinion for the betterment of the community. If you took it to be demanding or something, it wasn't meant to be. No reason you should listen to ME more than any reason anyone should listen to YOU. I'm glad you're over me...I didn't know you had a thing for me! LOL

JJ

Reply by John Schenk on 6/23/09 11:23pm
Msg #293328

ZERO TO SIXTY...on post ONE!

LOL

It's hard to be constructive here, it seems. I have found that when organizations, or boards, cast off any and all constructive posts, or viewpoints, that they begin to dissolve, and I think that would be a sad thing to happen, as I believe this is a WONDERFUL BOARD!

Becca made the point I was trying to make, with her post. She's the winner!

JJ

Reply by A-1 Signing Agents, LLC on 6/23/09 11:39pm
Msg #293329

Re: ZERO TO SIXTY...on post ONE!

I agree with John. Some posts are so mean. I was scared to death to post when I first came here. More a lurker now unless I feel my post either answer's something or has some meaning. For the most part, it's for advertising now. With that being said. There are about 5 or 6 that are nasty no matter what so I skip right over their post. I don't waste my time with pissed off people.

Reply by Pat/IL on 6/24/09 12:50am
Msg #293333

Re: ZERO TO SIXTY...on post ONE!

John, you said: "I have found that when organizations, or boards, cast off any and all constructive posts, or viewpoints, that they begin to dissolve..."

Actually, this board thrives on animosity. It's a curious thing, but look around all of the nice boards. All you will see is tumbleweeds. Listen to the nice boards, you will hear only crickets.

This site survives in good part because of the personalities who keep people coming back. I am not condoning the heckling, I'm just stating the facts as I see 'em. You have to admit, though, that there are other boards with smart people helping others in a more gentle manner, that have a new thread weekly if they're lucky.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/24/09 7:46am
Msg #293342

Pat/IL speaks truth.

John, you migrated from one of those forums where you could watch paint dry. NR is what it is.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/24/09 12:52pm
Msg #293390

Might I add to Pat/IL

"The real guarantee of freedom
is an equilibrium of social forces in conflict,
not the triumph of any one force."
-- Max Eastman
(1883-1969)
Source: Reflections on the Failure of Socialism, 1955

Reply by Cari on 6/24/09 11:40am
Msg #293376

HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD! BRAVO JJ! n/m

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 6/24/09 12:33am
Msg #293331

Re: Who died and made you the NotRot Popo?

John, did you actually pay Becca to make your point so graphically?

Reply by Kate/CA on 6/24/09 1:55am
Msg #293336

Re: Who died and made you the NotRot Popo?

That is funny!!!! I wonder if she understood the orginial message?

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/24/09 1:24am
Msg #293335

If you're going to tell us how to post

does that mean we can tell you stop writing every third word in all caps and ending every other sentence in an exclamation point? You're not an 8th grade cheerleader so you don't need to write like one.

I'm gonna have to get on Becca's side on this one. There is such a thing as posting overkill and you have moved firmly into that territory.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/24/09 7:43am
Msg #293341

Re: If you're going to tell us how to post

then are you also going to tell us how to interpret? When to read?

Overkill is right - all the jumping up and down is so wearying, esp in all this heat we have been having. Let's be a bit more sedate, use more wit with your admonishments and don't forget brevity (oh, the soul of wit).

Reply by Cari on 6/24/09 11:51am
Msg #293378

ABSOLUTELY NOT CALINOTARY...NO overkill with JJ's post!

....he made aN EXCELLENT and GREAT point in his post. Which, some like yourself often miss the point of the post...because maybe you're sitting there wondering how to bash the hell out of the notary for posting their post...who knows..but its just sad that we cannot all be a united front...and start getting our profession MORE respect than it already receives!

....we should be supporting one another in this profession, and demeaning comments to our fellow notaries just make the notary feel worse! I am also to blame for some of my posts, BUT I am owning up to it and believe JJ is absolutely right!

HARRY: perhaps you can add another section to NotRot called: THAT NOTARY SUCKS! (or something similar) so that notaries that are either having a bad day or feel a need to inflate their self-esteem, egos' by degrading, demeaning or demoralizing fellow notaries, can go in and unleash on the unsuspecting notary...but require that no names be listed??

Reply by Robert/FL on 6/24/09 6:20am
Msg #293337

Many of the members of this board - particularly, the ones who consider themselves to be "experienced" - belittle other members. They act as if every question is stupid, as if "we should already know the answer". This board is so overly biased towards the signing agent profession also. The only posts I bother to read are the ones relating to the notary profession itself, and not to signing agent nonsense. Anytime someone posts something other than "my latest signing agent experience", they are jumped upon and criticized mercilessly.

My very first post on this board, I had several members look up my commission information and then grill me with questions about it. I posted a question about notary seals, and I got responses such as "No one cares about your seal; just shut up, stamp the document and move on to the next job". I post information about protests and instead of members being grateful that I provided them with FREE information, which I PAID for, people instead criticized it, saying that I was copyright infringing, accusing me of making up the information myself and claiming it was from my bonding company. Literally every thread I have started, I have had members tell me how stupid I was being.

BUT - this is a NOTARY board, and if I want to post NOTARY-related threads then I'm damn well gonna do it. I will not sit here and watch every thread be about "My latest Signing Agent Experience" when I want to vent about/question notarial procedure. Most members of this board do not care about being notaries, and do not think of themselves as notaries. They take no pride in this special governmental office, and don't understand the most basic of notarial principles but act like they know everything.

If people would stop acting like they know it all, and acting like everyone else doesn't know anything, then maybe this would be a message board where new members aren't afraid to make their first post. New notaries should be welcomed to post basic questions. Better for us to educate an inexperienced notary in the proper way, then for them to go out and make mistakes.

Reply by Riley/FL on 6/24/09 7:30am
Msg #293339

I am a newbie NSA, three years, but I still consider myself a rookie. I have been reading this board for over a year and most of what I have learned about this biz has come from the so called “nasty” members. And, yes, I used to be a “lowballer” because I didn’t know any better. Those 5 or 6 people you may consider nasty I consider the most knowledgeable on this board. I wouldn’t skip their posts if I were you. If I have a question about an SS or title co., the first thing I do is go to Signing Central or use the search button on the forum. Notary law, my state statutes. So if I do ask a basic question that I could look up myself, and am belittled, it’s my own fault. So for all you “nasty” posters, PLEASE KEEP POSTING! And for all you who can’t handle them, go ahead and skip their posts, it’ll be your loss.
Leave your emotions out of it and maybe I won’t have to skip your posts.

Reply by Cari on 6/24/09 11:54am
Msg #293380

oh okay; just wait, you'll ask a seemingly innocent question

and then BAM...then let's revisit your post here, k

Reply by jba/fl on 6/24/09 12:48pm
Msg #293389

Re: oh okay; just wait, you'll ask a seemingly innocent question

And, yes, you can get slammed...it really all depends on how you ask the question or phrase the comment.

Bless Sue/Pa; Becca, Brenda/TX, LindaH; Sylvia, and PAW, among others. I have been taken to task both nicely and ripped. Deservedly so or not, it made me examine my thought, policy or deed. It made me look a different way on that situation, and if I felt right, then I defended; If I felt wrong, I apologized and if it really didn't matter, I let it go. Just file in the old memory bank and at the end of the day while I am dreaming the equally old brain will churn away extrapolating, filing, placing on an open shelf, ready-ing itself for the next time it may be needed or incorporating itself into my attitude, or...many multiple uses of information, good and bad.

When I say, for example, how do I? and end with TIA I get a more positive response.

This is big kids on the playground: don't get your panties in a wad (also spoken here a lot) And big kids own up. They don't come and push you then run hide behind the wall.

Remember: He who has the responsibility has the power.
I like the power I have: to make my own decisions, to order my life my way and within the parameters of my choices.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/24/09 7:32am
Msg #293340

Seriously people

I don't understand why you think your opinion is more important than Becca's or Cali's or mine.
This is not Notary Kindergarden here...this is supposed to be the Premier Web Site for Professional Notaries.
I vote with the other "meanies". Put your big boy pants on.
We all have opinions, and you may not like the message or the way it is delivered, but only in Notary Kindergarden are new notaries welcomed to post basic questions, and I repeat:
this is not N-K.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/24/09 8:02am
Msg #293345

Thin skin is for social relationships, not business.

You say you work for attorneys. You have some special custodian segment most of us do not have. You must have someone where you work that helped you get this - why don't you ask them? We don't necessarially care if we can't find a way to incorporate into our business and make money.

As for protests - discussed before. Archaic concept for today's world. But the law is full of incongruities and odd things left over from "way back when". Why, you can't spit on sidewalks somewhere is SD (I think) but when that law was made, sidewalks were wooden and ladies wore long dresses. Made sense then, less now. But repealing laws? That's a full time job in every state I would imagine, and who is going to pay for that? Much less, research them all and decide what still works and what doesn't? Besides, if the law wants you bad enough, there is just another 'breaking of' that can be piled onto someone who just might be public enemy #1....LOL. Can't you just see BinLaden getting arrested for spitting on the sidewalk?

Back to thin skin: I'm going to blame the school system in Florida for this in your make up. They believe that if we correct anyone, assign responsibility that isn't just warm fuzzies, show any one individual that they stand above another in academic achievement, cast blame, and myriad other 'feel goods' for the psyche of these little monsters, then we run the risk of them being certifiably strong, thick-skinned individuals instead of little sheeplings ready to run through the maze of life.

There is no place for thin-skin in business society. Not to be confused with compassion, empathy, sympathy, etc.. Think of it this way: if you don't feel a jab, how will you know a stroke?

Reply by Robert/FL on 6/24/09 9:38am
Msg #293360

Re: Thin skin is for social relationships, not business.

Got news for you... the signing agent business is hardly "business society". You work whatever hours you feel like and usually don't meet your clients more than once. You can have thin skin/thick skin whatever. Bottom line is, if one of your clients upsets you, you will probably never have to see them again. In real "business society", that's not how it works.

But being a notary is not "running a business". Being a notary is being a representative of the state, where your number one goal should be serving the public to the best of your ability and knowing your duties and laws. My commission says that I am a Notary Public "in the Name of the People of the State of Florida, to have, hold and exercise the said office and all the powers and responsibilities appertaining thereto, and to receive the privileges and emoluments thereof in accordance with the law". It does NOT say "to make money".

I was commissioned to hold and exercise ALL powers and responsibilities, and knowing what a protest is and how to do one is one of those powers/responsibilities. What better place to discuss this confusing process than on a NOTARY message board?

So you say this is the place for "Professional Notaries". Can someone please direct me to the message board for "Dedicated Notaries"? Because being a notary to me is more than a "profession". It's a privilege, not a right.

Reply by Riley/FL on 6/24/09 9:51am
Msg #293362

Some people just don't get it. probably never will. n/m

Reply by JanetLA on 6/24/09 9:53am
Msg #293364

My notary business IS a business.

Baton Rouge Notary Services Inc. I prepare wills, trusts, corporation documents, give my customers the proper information. I DO have repeat customers, many of them. I don't work whatever hours I feel like working. I own and operate a full time notary business...They come to me for estate planning, selling a vehicle, simple notarizations, etc. So, I am qualified by the state but I don't do it for fun. I do it to pay the bills. Having said that, I do enjoy my work, and continue to learn and GROW MY BUSINESS... Not sure why you don't consider that professional notary business, but it is most assuredly a business for me.

Reply by Robert/FL on 6/24/09 9:57am
Msg #293365

Re: My notary business IS a business.

Yours is an exception. Most notaries here are "independent" signing agents, not owners of a full time notary business.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/24/09 10:08am
Msg #293367

You can stop jamming your opinions down our throats now

You are oblivious.

Reply by Robert/FL on 6/24/09 10:13am
Msg #293368

Re: You can stop jamming your opinions down our throats now

I am not the oblivious one. Note that no one has directly responded to my posts. Instead, they post cryptic messages like "Some people never get it" or "You are oblivious".

Reply by Vince/KS on 6/24/09 10:30am
Msg #293371

Robert - PLEASE consider this opinion

Robert, you said: "Yours is an exception. Most notaries here are "independent" signing agents, not owners of a full time notary business."

Robert, perhaps you would be seen as "fitting in" more on this particular work forum if you built your posted thoughts, concerns, questions and concerns around what "independent signing agents" do - you apparently know and believe that is what this forum is for. That's just my opinion.

By the way, "idependent signing agents" are in business as we aren't being paid by the government for our services are we? Instead, we have a business relationship with those we serve.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/24/09 10:38am
Msg #293372

Re: Robert - PLEASE consider this opinion...well, here's a

shock but I'm going to disagree with Vince here...

This IS a notary website..and Robert SHOULD have the right to ask notary-related questions, just as we all do...

But this statement - "Most notaries here are "independent" signing agents, not owners of a full time notary business.".." - couldn't be more inaccurate...MHO to which I'm entitled.

Reply by Becca_FL on 6/24/09 10:15am
Msg #293369

"the signing agent business is hardly "business society".

What an idiotic thing to say. What do you have against NSAs, preacher boy?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/24/09 10:19am
Msg #293370

Here's your answer to the questions you posed

"What better place to discuss this confusing process than on a NOTARY message board?"

First of all, who said this wasn't a relavant topic?
And the original post was not about protests.

"Can someone please direct me to the message board for "Dedicated Notaries"

Yes, you can either go mobile or go to the numbers site.
You will be revered there.

Reply by JanetLA on 6/24/09 7:54am
Msg #293344

I am with the "meanies" and I don't have time to read all of

John's experience and bragging about his equipment etc. I am not impressed with his lawfirm experience, or how good he is at everything. Give me the realists who are blunt and to the point every time. I am in Louisiana and our rules and laws are very different. But the so called meanies are really helpful with the signing agent part of my business. Sorry John but you are not in charge of who says what. Of course, you are welcome to skip their posts. I am not rude to others here but I tend to have little patience for people that expect their competition to do their job for them or tell them how to run their own new business. Further, where have you been John? How can you show up and brag endlessly and then tell others how to behave?

Reply by notaryinmo on 6/24/09 11:51am
Msg #293379

Very interesting post. With some of the so called "nasty posts" that you've read is mostly because the dedicated notaries who do have the highest regard for their Notary Public commission are trying diligently to make sure that all notaries no matter where they are located uphold the profession by performing notarial services properly.

If it takes "nasty posts" to get some points across, so be it. If someone is feeling "picked on", maybe he/she should take a step back to figure out what they don't see in the larger picture.

I've been here for a little over a year now and I read as many posts as I possibly can to make sure that I'm following the procedures I didn't know about when I starting as a signing agent. It's because of the wide and varied posts that I've learned a heck of a lot and I've publicly thanked Notary Rotary for giving me the opportunity to learn. Without the posts you are referring to, how is one supposed to learn?

You might want to save your briefs for your offline legal business practices. Even though you are entitled to have your own opinion, that doesn't mean you need to share it with us. Really - it's ok that I don't know how busy you are, but if you were so busy why would you have time to post such a lengthy message? I might suggest you start a blog so that you can mix your legal proceedings with your notarial services.

Respect on these boards is earned. It's taken some of these notaries years of hard work building a notary business to learn what they have and are more than willing to teach those of us who want to learn the correct way how to perform notary services. Perhaps what you meant to refer to is "treat others as you wish to be treated"

Reply by MW/VA on 6/24/09 1:58pm
Msg #293407

It might be important to note how many notaries on this board do not participate in this kind of thing.
Each of us may be seeking to get something different from the info shared here. We don't have to agree or disagree with any or all of it. It is what it is. It's always a good idea to review the "Rules & Guidelines". There are many personalities, etc. that come into play, just like anywhere else.
Take it or leave it--keep what's worthwhile & forget the rest. Who has the time for all the backbiting?

Reply by John Schenk on 6/25/09 7:19pm
Msg #293618

Wasn't that a FUN thread? LOL Went pretty much as I expected. Don't know about the rest of you, but I enjoyed it! Glad you all did too.

JJ :-)

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/25/09 7:36pm
Msg #293622

Best answers were Pat/IL and Riley.

This board has been making headway head and shoulders above the rest for years. There was a time when
G M N was the busiest and the roughest one and this was the nicest. Over there "Old Timer" and "The Real Old Timer", as well as the R Silver vs. Linda Daily Showdown kept people coming back just to see what was going to happen next. All of those left and the board dried up.

If it works, don't "fix" it.

Reply by John Schenk on 6/25/09 7:51pm
Msg #293626

Re: Best answers were Pat/IL and Riley.

Didn't say that the lack of tact wasn't humorous, as it is. Sometimes it reminds of opening up AOL and clicking on one of the "news" things on the Welcome screen and scrolling down to see what the teenagers are posting. You never read through a post, but it reminds you how silly people can be when they're not standing face to face to someone talking to them.

It was a fun thread. Got some laughs out of the responses which all in all came from the ones I thought they would come from. LOL No real surprises here. It just proved what I thought.

JJ :-)