EDUCATION

Lorne Mann

Sharing Support and Knowledge

MENTORING

Arelationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person Wikipedia

BC Notaries are educated through the postgraduate Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MA ALS) program at Simon Fraser University, followed by the full-time Practical Training Program that is also required by The Society of Notaries Public of BC.

Before being installed as a BC Notary, the student receives personal guidance from an experienced Notary mentor and his or her staff for 4 weeks in the following areas of education. • Ethics and Professionalism in a Notarial Practice • Notarial Practice Management • Client Relationship Management • Reviewing Contracts, including and reviewing required searches and investigations and preparing documents • Participating in Client Interviews The Mentoring Process Both the mentor and the mentee benefit from the experience. In a good mentoring relationship, both parties feel free to share knowledge in an atmosphere of professionalism, collegiality, and trust.

The mentoring process is enhanced by the fostering of mutual respect between the mentor and the mentee and building a comfortable bridge that spans their respective experiences and cultural backgrounds.

The mentoring process is enhanced by the fostering of mutual respect between the mentor and the mentee and building a comfortable bridge that spans their respective experiences and cultural backgrounds. The relationship should encourage the ongoing success of both parties and provide a support network for both the established Notary and the recent graduate that enables them to continue sharing professional knowledge long after the formal mentoring period has been completed.

In my Notary practice, I have personally mentored a number of students and enjoyed each student’s unique abilities. One of my mentoring students is now an associate in my Notary practice. The mentoring experience with her was so positive, I decided to invite her to join my business.

It is very rewarding for me to share my 28 years of knowledge with new Notaries and I find that my office staff members are always eager to explain the ins-and-outs of running a Notary business, deal with time constraints, and help manage my day.

Most important, the mentee learns how to help meet the needs of the clients to encourage positive business relationships and to set the scene for the clients to return to the practice for future noncontentious legal advice and assistance.

In my experience, BC Notaries are willing to share their knowledge and experience with each other. In the legal profession, keeping current with the law through continuing education and contact with their professional peers is vital.

New Notaries are the future of our profession. We are all well served when we share knowledge. s Lorne Mann is Chair of the Education Committee of The Society of Notaries lorne.mann@gmail.com