T H E N O T A R Y N E W S Published by Victoria Ring, CNSA http://www.50statenotary.com http://www.bankruptcybook.net ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ Missed an issue? Read past issues at http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/ You can also read this issue online at http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/issue66.html Get your copy of The Best of The Notary News � Volume 1, which contains all the best from Issues 1 through 52. Visit http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/book/ ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ ISSUE 66 � December 24, 2004
IN THIS ISSUE: ** Plug-In for Viewing Training Videos ** Questions and Answers from Notary Signing Agents ** Rate this Ezine ** Victoria�s Chocolate Pizza Christmas Recipe ** Thanks for the Christmas Ecards ** Bible Verse of the Week ** Resource Links for Notary Signing Agents ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ PLUG-IN FOR VIEWING TRAINING VIDEOS Before releasing the new training CDs �Notary Business Talks with Victoria� I tested the videos on 14 different computers to make sure they worked properly on a variety of platforms. Everything tested out perfect the first time, but after two people purchased and received the CDs they called and said they were unable to view the video but could hear the audio sound. I immediately went to work to solve the problem but since the CD worked on all the computer systems I tried, it was impossible to find a solution since I could not see what the problem actually was. But thanks to Rob DeCoite at http://www.robsnotary.com/ he has helped solve the problem. He found a plug-in for Windows Media Player that I now make available from the 50 State Notary website. So if you have purchased the training CDs and have any problems viewing the video in Windows Media Player, download and install this small plug-in at http://www.50statenotary.com/thankyou.html For those of you who would like to find out more about this new line of training CDs (for beginners and advanced notary signing agents) go to http://www.50statenotary.com/videotraining/ ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM NOTARY SIGNING AGENTS Dear Victoria: I want to thank you again for all the time you put into answering Notary questions. We are very fortunate to have someone so experienced and willing to share this with us and for free!! I am a new notary and have done very little as of yet. You answered one of my questions a few weeks ago and I look forward to all the new information you give out every week. I will be purchasing the "How to Start your Own Bankruptcy" book after the holidays (http://www.bankruptcybook.net .) I believe that will be something that will help me the most. I have stayed home with my kids for 5 years doing almost anything from daycare to housekeeping to make extra money to help my family, but it never seems to be enough. I got my notary license to again try and earn more but I have to admit the bankruptcy business seems to be more my speed because I can work from home more. You have been such an inspiration!!! I have to admit I had been starting to feel self defeated trying to find the correct career for me and my family. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!!!!! Dear Subscriber: Thank you so much for your kind words. Don�t feel so self-defeated about not having a career direction at this time. You are still in the experimental stage and everything you learn in this stage will be extremely beneficial when you do discover the correct career path. As long as you keep trying, continue researching and educating yourself, the doors will continue to open. And one day, one of those doors will open to the world that is a perfect match for you. I sincerely hope you enjoy the bankruptcy forms processing business. You can make a great deal of money, but there is a �learning curve� to go through in learning where to place debts on the various debt sheets of the bankruptcy petition. However, you are always working for an attorney and if you make a mistake, the attorney will catch it before filing with the court. May you also have a blessed Christmas holiday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Victoria: Regarding your reader that was confused about whether or not to have the borrowers initial every page of a Deed / Mortgage please be aware that many companies forbid initialing where there is no space provided. Many companies have their own policies concerning Deeds and Mortgages. Many instruction sheets that have been put out within the last 60 days expressly forbid having borrowers initialing places where there are no spaces provided. Numerous lenders do not want these pages initialed, and there are fee reduction penalties for not following the lender's instructions. Rather than "invent" places to initial, the prudent notary always contacts the signing company or the lender when in doubt. The reason that we have so many goofed up signings is that a notary decides to just "do" something, rather than ask. What they end up doing is usually wrong. Needless to say, I was somewhat "surprised" at your answer. Dear Victoria: Thank you again for publishing such a useful newsletter! But, I must respectfully take exception to your advice regarding initials on the bottom of each page of the mortgage/deed of trust. Some signing companies (e.g., Pfaith, amongst others) instruct notaries NOT to add anything to the documents. In this case, adding initials where not asked for would be considered extraneous marks, and would be rejected ... with all the problems associated with redrawing the doc etc. Dear Subscribers: Perhaps we have uncovered another variance in state law. Here in the state of Ohio it is required by the Clerk at the Recorder�s Office that any multi-page court document must be initialed at the bottom of every page (including the back pages if wording is printed on them). This is done because it would be easy for someone to have a person sign the last page of a multi-page document, then change the front pages before filing it with the court; thus causing the document to be fraudulent and possibly detrimental for the signer. By initialing the bottom of all pages in a multi-page document, this indicates those pages were part of the original set when presented to the signer(s) and they agree to all the terms stated therein. Additionally, the Recorder�s Office in Ohio is so picky about the initial requirement that I have known them to reject a document if one page contained a different set of initials. For instance, if the borrower�s name is John Joseph Doe, he must initial the bottom of any unsigned pages with �JJD.� If John makes a simple mistake and initials one of the pages �JD� it can be rejected for filing. Because there may be a difference between the filing procedures in the state of Ohio (where I reside) and your state, I suggest all notaries check with the National Notary Association to make sure they comply with the laws of their state. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Victoria: I received a document by fax that contained a faxed signature. I was asked to notarize the document and the person who signed the document would be present before me. How do I notarize a faxed document containing a faxed signature? Dear Subscriber: You cannot notarize a faxed signature even if the person who signed it is standing in front of you and verifies it is their signature. Only documents bearing an original signature, stroked directly upon the document (also known as a �wet-ink� signature) are eligible for notarization. If you think about it � the requirement makes perfect sense. A faxed document can easily be altered. Someone could have a person sign one document, then cut and paste a different paragraph into the document, make a copy and fax it to you for notarization. However, if you had the original document in front of you, you could easily see the document was altered. The signer may not even notice the difference in wording of the paragraph since it is hard to detect the cut and paste surgery before the document was faxed. So you are really protecting the signer and upholding your duty as a sworn notary public by only notarizing documents that contain the original �wet-ink� signature. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Victoria: I just received my copy of your How to Start a Signing Agent Business and your Notary News Best of Book (http://www.50statenotary.com/book/ and http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/book .) I thank you for being the only place online that really is of true benefit to new notaries seeking to get into the signing agent business. I have not found any other source as completely useful, helpful and understandable as you, your books and your website. Your spirituality comes through in your website and books and I am glad you are not "afraid" to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ is number one in all that you do, whether it is personal or professional. So many people seem to be so concerned about being "politically correct" that bringing up religion in business will hurt them in some way, but I say...if it does, then that wasn't business you were supposed to have anyway. Anyway thank you again, I am going to implement every one of your ideas and look forward to a prosperous New Year! On a sidebar, I am located in Georgia; do you know the reason why the NNA does not offer the "certified" NSA appointment or training in my state? Dear Subscriber: Thank you so much for your kind words and comments. I have received emails from people of other religions who said they may not agree with my viewpoint but they respect my ability to stand-up and share my faith with others. Many Christians use the word �Christianity� as a ploy to make people think they are honest and truthful people but they do not make Jesus Christ the center of their lives. I pray several times a day and consistently ask God to keep me on the path he wants me to follow. Sure, I am a sinner and I make mistakes every day � but the difference between pretending to be a Christian when the opportunity benefits you and not being a Christian the rest of the time is hypocritical and I do not agree with this philosophy. To answer your second question � the NNA would love to offer the certification course to notaries in Georgia. The problem is that your state law prevents a notary from performing loan closings unless they are an attorney or licensed in real estate. The NNA is working hard to help state regulators to understand the role of a notary public is not to provide legal advice, but to only witness and notarize a signature � but as of right now, those regulations have not been changed in Georgia. You need to contact the NNA at 1-800-US-NOTARY and ask them for any updated announcements on changes in the Georgia law. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Victoria: I read on a notary message board that people are �dogging� you about your �Not-for-Profit� status on your web site. I think if people have a question they need to contact you, but these people appear to be ganging up on you. I thought you should know. Dear Subscriber: Thank you for your concern but many people �dogged� Jesus Christ (and even killed Him) when he walked this Earth. If people would do this to the Creator of the Universe, I can easily take any form of criticism. However, to clear up the issue concerning the �not-for-profit� status � there are TWO distinct differences between �non-profit� and �not-for-profit.� In a �non-profit� an organization files a 501c status with the government and they enjoy the benefits of not paying taxes. A �not-for-profit� company does not file anything with the government and pays taxes like any other company. However, after all the company expenses are paid each month, a large portion of the profit is donated to a �non-profit� organization. (As you know, 50 State Notary supports many different non-profit Christian churches and organizations on a monthly basis.) Additionally, this information is also explained on the 50 State Notary website at http://www.50statenotary.com/aboutus.html . I suppose the gossipers forgot to read this page. Therefore, the rumors you have heard are from people who have no legal knowledge of the difference between a �non-profit� and a �not-for-profit� organization. I suggest you stay away from message boards that do nothing but spread gossip. Most people who spread gossip do not bother to find out the true legal facts before making statements and most of the time they end up with �egg on their face� at the end anyway. If those people would spend more time marketing and growing their business, they would have less time to spend on chat boards spreading lies and untrue rumors. But perhaps some people thrive on negativity more than putting money in their bank account. (Note: You have my permission to post this information on any message board to educate others of the difference between a �non-profit� and �not-for-profit� company.) ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/vote.html?pub_code=thenot ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ VICTORIA�S CHOCOLATE PIZZA CHRISTMAS RECIPE I realize a recipe is not related to a notary signing agent business, but its Christmas time and most of us are already in a holiday mood. So I thought the following recipe may give you something new to cook-up for your friends and relatives. I give them away as Christmas gifts and people love them. CHOCOLATE PIZZA On a round pizza tray layer the following: 1. Rice-Crispy treats are used as the base (3 tablespoons of butter melted, add 1 pkg of marshmallows. Melt and add 5 cups of Rice Crispy cereal. Press into bottom of pizza pan to form pizza crust to build on.) 2. Layer of Kraft caramels (melt 1 bag of caramels and pour over pizza base) 3. Layer of finely chopped cashews (sprinkle over caramel while warm) 4. Layer of semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 bags of chocolate chips melted and poured over cashews and caramel) 5. Layer of Mounds coconut (takes the place of mozzarella cheese) 6. Top with red and green marchino cherries cut in half. 7. Allow entire pizza to harden overnight, then drizzle with melted white chocolate to seal everything in. One small piece of this wonderful Chocolate Pizza will satisfy your sweet tooth for a long time. You can also cut it up and give away slices as gifts. ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ THANKS FOR THE CHRISTMAS ECARDS I would like to thank everyone for the many Christmas ecards I have received. When I first began receiving them I answered with a reply Christmas card. But during the past week I have received so many that I was unable to respond to all of them. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for thinking of me and sending Christmas wishes. Here in Ohio we are now under a Level 2 snow emergency, 250,000 people are out of power and the temperatures are 10 degrees or less. But I am blessed with having a warm house, electricity and a refrigerator full of food. For that I am extremely thankful. But there are many unfortunate people who need our prayers during this season. Many people cannot afford a Christmas meal. So if you know anyone in your area who is alone or needs food this Christmas � take time out to visit or call them, or better yet � take them a plate of food and give them a hug. Christmas is all about love � not what people buy for you and place under a Christmas tree. ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 10-14 �And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, �Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.� Read online at http://www.servantofjesuschrist.com/kjv1611/luke/chapter_02.html ________________________________________________ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ OF INTEREST TO NOTARIES: Get listed in the Nationwide Notary Directory http://www.50statenotary.com/directory/order_getlisted.html BOOK: �How to Start, Operate and Market a Freelance Notary Signing Agent Business� ISBN: 0-9761591-0-4 http://www.50statenotary.com/book/index.html BOOK: �How to Start a Bankruptcy Forms Processing Service� ISBN: 0-9761591-1-2 http://www.50statenotary.com/bankruptcybook/index.html BOOK: The Best of The Notary News - Volume 1 ISBN: 0-9761591-3-9 http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/book/index.html CD-ROMs: Notary Business Talks with Victoria http://www.50statenotary.com/videotraining/index.html Attend the 2005 National Notary Conference in Las Vegas! http://www.nationalnotary.org/conf/index.cfm?text=conf2005&referID=A23039 FREE: Client Intake Forms for Bankruptcy Forms Processors http://www.50statenotary.com/bankruptcybook/download/ FREE: 50 State Notary Desktop Guard Dog http://www.50statenotary.com/freegift/index.html Join the National Notary Association http://www.nationalnotary.org/supplies/index.cfm?referID=A23039 Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Signing Companies http://www.notarybeware.com http://www.mynotarybusiness.com Locate a Notary: View the Nationwide Notary Directory http://www.50statenotary.com/directory/index.html View previous issues of this ezine: The Notary News http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/index.html Jobs for Notary Signing Agents (updated weekly) http://www.50statenotary.com/directory/company_listing.html Free Introductory Signing Agent Training Course http://www.50statenotary.com/training/index.html My Notary Story � Tips from Experienced NSAs http://www.50statenotary.com/mystory/index.html Free Download of the King James Bible http://www.servantofjesuschrist.com/kjv1611/download.html Visit Victoria Ring�s other websites http://www.victoriaringconsulting.com/ http://www.graphicopublishing.com/ -------------------------------------- Victoria Ring, CNSA Author, Speaker and Training Developer http://www.50statenotary.com Phone: 614-801-9977 Fax: 614-801-1962 For additional information about Victoria Ring visit http://www.victoriaringconsulting.com _____________________________ Unsubscribe: http://www.ymlp.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Hosting by http://www.yourmailinglistprovider.com
