Posted by Curtis Whitney on 10/11/09 1:29am
Msg #306961

New to Notary Rotary

A friend of mine told me about notary rotary. I have signed up but can someone give me an idea of how exactly this works. What are some key things that I need to know or be aware of?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/11/09 2:00am
Msg #306963

Depends

Welcome, Curtis!

You didn't say what was your reason for signing on or what you're trying to accomplish here, so it's tough to answer your question. You also didn't say how long you've been a notary.

If you just want to be a member of the community, I suggest you read for a while to get the hang of things. One of the key things to know about is the orange search button at the top, (when you're on the first page of the forum). All messages going back five or six years are archived here and are searchable. It's a goldmine of information. Nearly every question you can think of has probably already been asked multiple times. If that doesn't get you your answers and it's not something you should be checking with your state authorities first, then ask away.

There's not a lot of patience here for people who don't do their own homework or are just looking for easy answers -- especially when the information is already here for the seeking.

If you're wanting to build a business doing loan signings (although I'm not sure why anyone would want to start in this business at this time... ) find message #33325 using the search button. Read everything - more than once. It's a great introductory course in our business.

For the most part, this is a great community, but like any online forum, be careful who you listen to. There are lots of "old timers" here - and many others - with great advice to offer, as well as a few who I'd throw into the category I call "often wrong, never in doubt..." You also need to be aware that things vary greatly from state to state, so keep that in mind when you read advice from others.

Best of luck to you!

Reply by Barbara Taylor on 10/11/09 7:49am
Msg #306967

Re:NNA

Hi Chris...

Are you a member of the National Notary Association, if not I would suggest you join. This is how some of us get our start with work, being on their dbase. Also if you need additional help, by being a member you can ask them with the questions and they will help. But, make sure you don't purchase everything thats offered you.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/11/09 8:11am
Msg #306972

Re: Re:NNA....disagree

NNA is the last place I'd spend my money - been there done that all for naught...to be in their database you have to be certified and background checked THROUGH THEM to the tune of $100 - $150 - did it three years ago when I first got started in FL and let my membership and certifications lapse a year ago and I've not lost a thing as a result.

The few times I asked a question of them, they either didn't know or they were wrong...being in their database got me minimal work, and the calls I DID get were low paying/slow paying companies. I'd never recommend anyone join that organization and a search of this site will reveal a multitude of reasons why.

My advice to the OP is First, welcome;

Second: know your state's notary laws COLD - and I mean COLD...your state notary laws are you bible as to how to do your job....

Third: if you're leaning more toward general notary work, Laura Vestanen's book on marketing non-loan notary business is a great resource....

Fourth: If you have real estate/mortgage experience and would like to get into loan signings, the Signing Agent Registry Manual is an excellent guide and can be purchased here. Even if you don't have the past experience it will help but you'll have a bit more work to do to be sure you know what you're doing.

Fifth: If loan signings ARE your thing, go to Signing Central here and start signing up with as many companies as you can. When I started I contacted only those 3 stars or above...now with the way the economy has gone you'd be better served to read the comments on each company under their listing to make sure they're not already closed or don't have a rep for not paying their notaries.

Sixth: Read read read and then read some more....here and also google is your best friend.

Seventh: Best of luck to you!!

Reply by CopperheadVA on 10/11/09 8:51am
Msg #306977

Re: Re:NNA....disagree

I agree with Linda on this one. I was a member of the NNA the first year I was a notary - after that I let it lapse. I was never certified with them or listed in their signing agent database. However, I did receive regular correspondence from them, probably monthly, in the form of an invoice to renew my membership with them, even though it was nowhere near the expiration date of my membership! All the crap they perpetually sent me - trying to sell me this or that - was a real turn off.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/11/09 9:16am
Msg #306980

Re: Re:NNA....disagree

I also agree on this one. I discovered that NNA does not represent our best interests & am no longer buying into their agenda.

Reply by TRG_wy on 10/11/09 9:29am
Msg #306983

Re: Re:NNA....disagree

Count me in too. Avoid the NNA.

I was a member for many years but when their business plan went from being a true advocate for the notary and more about filling their money coffers they fell from grace.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 10/11/09 9:50am
Msg #306984

I couldn't agree more...NO NO NO to NNA (for me)

I'm not exactly sure why Barbara continues to push new NSA's into the NNA's arms, she definitely does NOT speak for the majority of experienced NSA's within this membership. The NNA will take your money (lots of it) and give you some less than correct information. The training guide that I think is for sale here although right now I can't find it is the BEST in the business and will answer any question you could hope to have. If you can't locate it here PM me and I'll give you the addy where you locate it. Many members stand behind it 110%, IF you're going to spend the money you should get the most bang for your buck.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/11/09 10:05am
Msg #306988

NNA absolutely the worst advice!

The NNA long stopped being an advocate for the notary! I dropped my membership long long time ago. I believe the best association to be a member of is the American Society of Notaries (ASN) they are truly for the notary. They are the oldest non-profit association for notaries.

The NNA just has not a clue (IMHO). Their handbook for Florida had wrong information in it (I believe they may have corrected it by now) and when called on it, and had the info verified by the SOS office, their response was they did not agree with our SOS.

Training guide that Sue is referring to is the TSR training guide which is available in the Notary Supply store. It is by far the best training guide I have ever seen.

If in CA there is the "How To Be A Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent" which is also an excellent guide.

(I am not affiliated with either of those two publications and get nothing from promoting them - these are my own unbiased opinions).

Reply by Todd/OH on 10/11/09 10:47am
Msg #306992

Re: NNA absolutely the worst advice!

I called NNA a few times as I 'thought' they were a good source of advice - hardly. I was actually given incorrect information.

Reply by JanetLA on 10/12/09 11:44am
Msg #307040

agree with all. waste of money... n/m

Reply by Laura_V on 10/13/09 8:41am
Msg #307134

NNA gave me wrong info too! On notary regulations! n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 10/11/09 10:28am
Msg #306990

I agree Linda the NNA is the last place to go. n/m

Reply by Ernest__CT on 10/12/09 9:40am
Msg #307023

NNA? NFW! Avoid them like the plague! n/m