Phoenix, Arizona: Here Come The Notaries!

     Hundreds of Notaries across the U.S. are packing their bags as they prepare for the National Notary Association's annual Notary Conference (#NNA2014) from June 1 to June 4th.  This year Phoenix, Arizona is hosting the gala at the Hyatt Regency.  If you're a Notary and a NNA Conference Newbie, we have the following tips for you to consider to help Conference a more rewarding experience.

1. Leave your shyness at home.  We know not everyone has a Type A personality or has the gift of gab.  But in order for you to make the most of the conference experience you must get out of your comfort zone and meet other people. If you're traveling alone, make sure you don't eat alone.  If you see a table of with people around it,  with at least one vacant chair, walk up with a smile and ask "Is this seat taken"?  If it isn't, follow it up with "Well, I hope you won't mind if I join you.  My name is [  ] from [State]".  Trust me, it really is as easy as that easy.
   
   
2. Create Must-Do Goals.  Write down two "Must-Do's" on an index card or piece of paper. A "Must-Do" is something that is valuable or important to you or to your notary business.  It is something or some things that if you don't do it you'll be disappointed.  It might be making a connection with a new title company so that you can conduct signings for them in your state.  Perhaps you want to pitch a workshop idea to NNA Conference organizers for next year. Or, maybe you're looking for a mentor.  Whatever it is write it down on a card or piece of paper and put it with the rest of your important travel documents.  When it's time for you to register for workshops or visit vendor tables, pull out your "Must Do's" and select workshops and vendors accordingly.  Before going to bed each night, review the Goals again.  Hopefully you can cross off at least one by Tuesday. If not, you know that Wednesday morning may be your last opportunity to make the right connections.  For you over-achievers, if you want to list more than two goals, have at it.  But be careful that you don't spread yourself too thin.

     By writing down your goals and taking proactive steps to meet others you are no longer longer being a passive conference attendee.  You're doing more than just showing up.  You are more likely to realize your goals.

     Notaries for Alabama is 1 Year Old.  One of the things on my Must Do List is to meet other notary group leaders who can give me advice and insight on matters related to growing membership, hosting local events, and establishing a brand.   So, when I register for my workshops on Sunday, I plan on making sure that I'm front-row-and-center for the Keynote Speaker's, Marcus Sheridan, presentation on growing your business and content marketing.

     Another workshop that is in line with my own Must-Do Goal would be attending the General Session where the topic will be "Trends in Notary Laws, Rules & Standards".  I'm bound to learn something that I can bring back home to my local notary group.  This is how one makes strategic, planned decisions to hopefully turn goals into accomplishments.

     If you see me in Phoenix, please stop and introduce yourself (if I don't beat you to it).  Let me know that you read my blog and if it helped.  And ask ME how I'm doing with realizing my Must-Do Goals.

     I pray that everyone will have safe travel to and from Phoenix, and that #NNA2014 will prove to be one of the best conferences ever.

     If you're reading this blog post and you're an Alabama Notary Public, or would like to learn more about becoming a notary, I'd love to meet you.  You can connect with our group by going to our website at www.notariesforalabama.com; or check us out on Meetup.

Michelle
Alabama Notary Public
Founder, Notaries for Alabama
2014 Notary of the Year Honoree

The Right Message at the Right Time

When I announced that Notary Basics for Alabama Notaries - a notary training class - would use the National Notary Association's (NNA) "Twelve Steps to a Flawless Notarization" as its primary textbook, I was asked why.  My answer was simple:  Cost and Content.

For less than ten dollars, "Twelve Steps" provides the most amount of information for the least amount of money.  The NNA makes it plain in the Introduction:

                             "The purpose of this book is to explain the critical elements of proper
                               notarization and to help Notaries use reasonable care".  [Page 6]

In other words, the NNA made the decision to focus on what really matters - the basics.  And, in my opinion, they did an exceptional job.  By covering less information the author's were able to go "deeper" and in greater detail, while still leaving room for each state's requirements to be added without taking anything away from "Twelve Steps" and visa versa.  "Twelve Steps" is a soft-back book - light enough and small enough to carry easily in a notary bag.  Not a bad idea for new notaries.

While "Twelve Steps" is perfect for covering the basics - we at Notaries for Alabama knew it was equally important for Notary Basics to include Alabama-specific requirements.  For that, we turned to "A Manual for Notaries Public in the State of Alabama" - a document few Notaries know anything about.  It was published by The Young Lawyers' Section of The Alabama State Bar.  The last copyright date was 2007. Although some information is out of date (i.e., it refers to a $10,000 bond requirement, when it was increased to $25,000 two years ago); it has timely information concerning Oaths, Journal Keeping and Notary Liability.  As the Lead Trainer for Notary Basics for Alabama Notaries, I feel confident that students will leave the class with more knowledge and skills than they had when they arrived.

Notary Basics training will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm at the Homewood Public Library, in Homewood, Alabama.  The cost is $35.

If you're a first-time Notary Public, or a commissioned Notary who never received formal training, Notary Basics may be right for you.  For more information, call (205) 626-9399.  You can also register online at Meetup.com.

Notary Basics: Training for Alabama Notaries

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest".

- Benjamin Franklin

In just a few weeks, Alabama Notaries will have an opportunity to test Franklin’s assertions. Notary Basics for the Alabama Notary Public is a six (6) hour, classroom-based, live training that will be held at Homewood's Public Library, in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 9:30 - 4:30 pm.

Notary Basics is ideal for first-time notaries, or commissioned notaries who have never received training. Students will leave the class with reference material and knowledge of how to complete accurate notarizations in accordance with Alabama requirements.  The cost is: $35.  Registration is required in advance of the training class.

To register, send an email to Notaries4Alabama@Gmail.com.  Make sure you include:
1.  Your first and last name
2.  Phone Number
3.  Email Address
4.  Home/Resident County in Alabama (for Commission requirementgs)

To learn more or register online, go to http://www.meetup.com/Alabama-Notary-Training/.  You can also call (205) 626-9399.

It's Almost Here! National Notary Public Day 2013

On Thursday, November 7th, National Notary Public Day will be recognized across the United States.  For a mere twenty-four hours, citizens will be asked to acknowledge and thank the men and women who are commissioned Notaries in their community.

If you've been following my Blog you know that earlier this year I had an idea.  Instead of giving lip service to this Day of Recognition, why not give it...give them (the notaries) the attention, the kudos, the appreciation, the 15 Minutes of Fame (or twenty four hours, depending on how you look at it) they deserve?  What if Alabama took this day to heart and did something nice?

A few months ago I spoke with a representative from Alabama's Secretary of State office.  I was shocked - blown away - to learn that at last count, the state had more than 22,000 notaries with active commissions.  Did you hear me?  22,000!  That's....incredible!  That's a lot of notary! So...what started as an idea gave way to:

Notaries4Alabama (N4A) Birmingham's 1st Notary Public support group.  We've been meeting monthly since May 2013 at Homewood Public Library.  Just over forty men and women have joined the group.  We've invited leaders from the community to attend our meetings and talk about notary topics.  I'll Blog later about the training and mentoring that's been going on.  If you're an Alabama Notary Public and want to learn more about N4A, you can find us on Meetup.com.  You can click here Notaries-for-Alabama Support Group.

That was the icing on the proverbial cake.  Remember, the initial idea was to host a Notary Day event on November 7th for the Notaries. Well...we're doing that, too!  But instead of just doing something nice for Notaries, the Notaries are doing something nice for the community-at-large.  Check this out!

FREE Document Notarizations

 

In recognition of
National Notary Public Day

 

Thursday, Nov 7th 10am - 6pm
Birmingham Public Library (Near Courthouse)
2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL

 

Open to the General Public
Bring your un-signed forms, and Government-issue ID.

Expert Notaries will notarize your forms.
NO real estate-related documents, please.

Walk-Ups OK.  No appointment necessary.

 

Alabama Notaries can register for exciting gifts in our Notary Raffle and learn about Notaries4Alabama, a support group for Central Alabama Notaries.

 

 

For more information about this Birmingham, Alabama's #NotaryDay2013, contact Notaries4Alabama: 

 

Telephone:  (205) 626-9399

Email:  Notaries4Alabama@Gmail.com

Web:    www.NotariesforAlabama.com

Twitter:  @NotariesAlabama