Posted by Lavergne Manuel on 8/25/10 3:12pm
Msg #350424

For All Notaries:

I have been trying to unite Notaries to contact our Representatives, Senators and SOS to ask them for an Alabama Notary Handbook. By accident I came in contact with a lady from Arizona and she began to help me and not she has built a Web-Sites for all notaries. When it is finished a Notary from any state will be able to add their state, make comments, make suggestions and a lot of other things. The site is http:notariesfor change.com and this site is for all notaries. Her name is Carol Ray and she offers an online class for signing agents at http://notary2pro.com.

Reply by Lavergne Manuel on 8/25/10 3:15pm
Msg #350426

I'm sorry. I meant http://notariesforchange.com

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 8/25/10 3:20pm
Msg #350427

Isn't this advertising? So if we use this site who's going to lobby for each state? Otherwise it's useless, or is this just another chatroom and a way to get money from the notary public who wants to be a glorified closing agent?

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/25/10 3:29pm
Msg #350433

Ilene,
Aren't you jumping the gun here? Maybe it's going to be different. Carol is a very bright lady.
Shoshana

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/25/10 3:27pm
Msg #350430

Carol Ray A/K/A Grammyzoom. n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/25/10 3:33pm
Msg #350435

Guess that explains Msg #347963 n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/25/10 3:41pm
Msg #350436

Re: Guess that explains Msg #347963

I guess so. You have a great memory!

Reply by James Dawson on 8/25/10 6:25pm
Msg #350459

Sounds like an excellent idea to me specially if there is no such site currently. What's wrong with trying to provide a platform for everyone to use? It's optional.

Reply by Grammyzoom on 8/25/10 9:19pm
Msg #350472

Yikes! Just got home from signings and had a PM so looked at postings while I was in.

Honestly I just felt so sorry for Lavergne because he has apparently been working so hard to get people to listen to him and wants to make a big impact on the way Alabama deals with it's notaries. As he explained to me he was not able to get anyone to listen to him and had no place to go to get other notaries behind him.

I thought this website might be a great place to enable notaries all over the country unite for the purpose of changing things in their home state that they are passionate about changing.

I personally will not be doing letter writing, petitions or organizing notaries but have created a place where others can get together and accomplish great things. Power in numbers.

So take a look and if you have things you would like to see changed try to attract other notaries from your state and stand together.

http://notariesforchange.com I purchased the domain name for a whopping $11.44 and 5 mail boxes for a huge $1.99 per month. If anyone needs a mailbox to help them with the organization let me know. If we need to get a lot more mail boxes we can. This is NOT advertising for me but something I feel really strongly about and am willing to donate the space and create the website for others to use.

Reply by James Dawson on 8/25/10 11:04pm
Msg #350485

I think with your years in the business and the help you're providing for the next generation is truly a testament to you giving something back, and not trying to be a profiteer. Your actions speak for itself, don't trip...

Reply by Roger_OH on 8/26/10 12:50am
Msg #350488

The only way to effect notary change in your state...

is to deal with the SOS and legislators that make and execute the notary laws. Nothing can change without their concurrence. Therefore, gather numbers, form a statewide notary association, and deal with the lawmakers as one voice as to what statutory changes need to be made. Make your case to the statewide media as well, through letters to the editor, writing a magazine article, or opinion forums.

State notary associations and/or notary networks are alive and having positive effects in PA, OH, FL, NJ, ME, and MI, to name a few.

The Ohio Society of Notaries is a non-profit corporation that I head, which has the ear of the state legislature. I have met with both candidates in the upcoming SOS race to apprise them of the need for notary reform to cope with the signing challenges of the 21st Century, and to better defend the public trust. Everyone needs a notary sometime, so it affects everyone in the state at some point. A non-partisan, win-win issue for any legislator.

State government often moves glacially, but you have to make yourself heard in your own statehouse, and among your fellow state notaries to have any hope of changing the status quo. Get some ideas from the Ohio site at www.ohionotaries.org, or the PA site at www.notary.org

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/26/10 2:56am
Msg #350489

I totally agree with you Roger...

Several of us tried to effect change here in AZ. We had some really good ideas. One thing is for sure...as long as Jan Brewer is Governor, we will NOT get a raise. She thinks notaries ought to work for free because we are appointed public officials.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/26/10 6:15am
Msg #350492

Notaries for Change

I don't want anything changed, really. Maybe $10 rather than $6, but that's just MY personal want, and not necessary for the greater good.

I have concerns about this, but Bob can probably voice them more effectively...and, I'm going in early this morning...to that J O B.

Reply by Lavergne Manuel on 8/26/10 7:27am
Msg #350496

Re: Notaries for Change

I can't thank Carol enough for the help and advice she has provided me with. I have sent emails to all of Alabama's Senators & State Representatives that had emails listed on the legislatures web-site and I am writing a letter to all of those who don't have an email listed. I have written to the Secretary of State. I will be meeting with my State Representative and since this is an election year, I will be meeting with the one who is running against him.

I will be meeting with the local newspaper and try and get some media attention. I live in a small town but we have a person from one of the television stations in Montgomery who is based in my town and I will be asking all the Churches to spread the word and pray for us. This being the end of the month, I am a little bit busy doing signings also.

If any of you who are in a state that has a Hand Book want to email one of our officials to tell how valuable a Hand Book is, I will list the emails.

Beth Chapman (SOS) - [e-mail address]
Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom (Senate Chairperson) [e-mail address]
Rep. Seth Hammett (Speaker of the House) [e-mail address]

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/26/10 8:28am
Msg #350500

Lavergne - for those changes you're seeking

Doesn't Alabama have an Administrator's Procedure Act? Have you requested declatory rulings to any of your specific questions, or even opinions from the AG or the SOS's own legal counsel? Does your SOS belong to the NASS (think they have a link on your SOS site, so probably?) You might find much value in that organization. If they are participating members, these issues you raise are likely already being addressed through there - and you can join the list-serve to stay tuned-in to what conversations they have.

One of the things I saw you wanting was a requirement for Journals - but your statute requires notaries to keep records of all acts, already. While your statutes are pretty skimpy, and the allowable fees definitely low, it would probably help to get all the little duckies in a neat row before you go further.

Dealing with the government is definitely not fun or easy - but there's an old saying about 'never present a problem without offering a possible solution'. In these days, the possible solutions need to address the very real barrier of funding, as well.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/26/10 9:28pm
Msg #350621

My 2 cents -- for those changes you're seeking

Just be sure that you know all you need to know and you have a presentation that will be respected.

I do not say that you should not do this, or that GZ should not have this website. However, we must be careful as notaries to earn respect by knowing what we need and why, and to be able to communicate in such a way that gets attention and presents a message.

Like Renee' said, get to know about your SOS and the NASS. Having your state's member (of the NASS) on your side would be a major score.

If this were my cause, I would not go straight to the legislators or go to the SOS just yet.

I would
-Figure out what I want. I would use the ULONA as my pattern for a proposed notary law...I'd pick/choose out of the act what I did/didn't want included. The revised ULONA (Uniform Law on Notary Act) was passed in July. See www.law.upenn.edu/bll/archives/ulc/ulona/sommers.pdf for the entire act. Review the ULONA and use it as a template to create a plausible pattern for change that is sound and written up in good ol U.S.A. legalese.

-Find out who Alabama's ULC (Uniform Law Commissioner) is.

-Find out further if this commissioner has presented the ULONA to your state for adoption into state law, or if he/she intends to. This is how it is supposed to work...a Uniform Law is enacted and then each state's rep on the Unform Law Commission is the ambassador for the act to its state. Get to know that commissioner to see if he/she could offer support of passing laws similar to the ULONA. After all, the ULONA is legally sound, etc. and it would minimize legal work right off the bat.

I think the ULC of Alabama will be a key player to have on your side.

Renee' is also right.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/26/10 9:34pm
Msg #350622

I should also say that just because

the ULC presents a uniform law to their state does not mean it is welcome. However, in this case, your notary wants are somewhat in parallel with the points of the ULONA.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/26/10 9:42pm
Msg #350625

3 more cents and then I'm done....

If you aren't familiar with the ULONA, you need to be if you intend to show your knowledge of notary law.

Know everything you can about notary law sand what actions have been taken regarding them over the last 25 years.

If you were not in debate in high school or college, just know that you lawmakers were. Preparing for a discussion with them or their staff will be worthwhile IF you know you subject backward and forward. Simply saying it would be better if things were improved is not enough to change law.

I worked next door to a congressional office for several years. I was close friends with the staff and knew the congressman well. Facts, facts, facts...they study all the time to address their constituents isses. They have young kids looking up law and preparing briefs before meetings with people such as yourself. Know everything you can about Alabama notary law so that you will not only have "It oughta be so!" defense.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/26/10 9:22am
Msg #350505

Try message 348366. I've read on this forum that AL is

working on change. Also, I think it is the SOS that is putting on the conference, and it has nothing to do at all with XYZ.