Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The truth.

In this day and age the truth is sometimes not as easy to see as we think. Our last post raised some feathers; but obviously not enough for them to post here. Instead they have worked the back doors so as not to seen in a bad light. This brings more truth to our last post about the organizations and associations. There is nothing disparaging in that post. The truth is very obvious. As we try to instill in our students, your confidence in yourself is your success. Not in someone or something.

We do not claim to be whom or what we are not. We do not play on words. Nor do we change advertising slogans to infringe on others. We do what is best for us and our students.

There is a tremendous perception out there of the notary appointment process and the role associations and organizations play in that process. When marketing and advertising blur the lines involved it creates a tremendous perception out there of misrepresentation of the actual process.

We hope to clear the air by telling the truth. And with that truth comes ruffled feathers. Here is an excerpt of post by us in regards to this same issue.

“Some Commission Facts”

“This area seems to be the basis of the most confusion and has become a statewide issue for everyone involved. For years now there has been confusion about the process and who is actually in charge here in Pennsylvania. This confusion has stemmed from years of advertising and marketing techniques. These practices have not only provided the confusion to notaries but enhanced it between our counties and our state entity. Although these techniques have proved successful to the organizations from a business and financial standpoint, they have been very detrimental to our county governments, our Notaries Public and our State Department. The PA Department of State, Notary Division is the governing body for all Pennsylvania Notaries Public. They approve all notaries, providers of the education and enforce the notary law. Period.”

“Each provider of the mandatory education must submit their courses for approval by this department. These courses must contain the information required by the notary law. Therefore; all approved courses contain the same information regardless of presenter, organization or provider. The State Department approves their courses and them as approved providers based on the same criteria. The process of applying or renewing a commission is also the same. The application is provided by the State Department. This application must be used by the applicant. This must be forwarded to the local State Senator for execution. Their office then forwards it to the State Department through legislative channels for final approval by the State Department Notary Division. They process and approve all applications and sends you, the Notary Public, the final paperwork for execution. Again the process is the same. The marketing techniques and general advertising practices that have been in place over the years has created the impression that some organizations are the governing entity or at least affiliated in some capacity with the State Department or the county governments. This is simple not true. The final processing of the applications is in the hands of the Commonwealth of PA State Department Notary Division.”

“These organizations are not affiliated with, attached to or otherwise involved with any of the process or decision making. There is no special treatment provided or back door access given to them. They are simply a business entity providing a basic service. Our State Department does not support, approve or otherwise recommend any organization over another.”

“The process of applying or renewing is the same whether you pay an organization, association or do it on your own. Your decision for education and commission processing should be an informed one, and we hope that these facts we have provided will help you understand the process a little better.”

Now with all that being said, we have noticed in the last few months a tremendous upswing in interest in our classes. Our classes are becoming full earlier and the students have a greater interest in our philosophy. Through them we learned there were many more notaries that feel the same as we do. We now have a network of notaries that help each other and do not depend on newsletters, and publications to support them. That is not to say that are not used for knowledge and information, but notaries are learning self reliance through our programs and we encourage that. We are extremely proud of the responses we get and we will continue to provide the same kind of service we have always provided. Here is to our growth and your education. Thank you.