PROFILE OF A BC NOTARY
Fourth in the Series that Showcases the Winners of the Dr. Bernard W. Hoeter Award for Achieving the Highest Marks on all the Notarial Statutory Examinations
Year 2004: BC Notary Filip de Sagher The Scrivener: Why did you become a BC Notary?
Tradition of Trust. And we need to give back. So many years ago, The Society had enough confidence in me to allow me into the profession and teach me its ins-and-outs. I simply have to pass that on.
FdS: In a way, there was something inevitable about my becoming a Notary. My family has had Notaries in every generation; my grandfather was one and one of my uncles still is. I even have a farther-distanced relative with my same name currently practising as a Notary Public in Belgium!
The Scrivener: What aspects of your Notary work do you enjoy the most? FdS: The trust people give us. The combination of meeting people and putting a complete file together. Educating the public about what we can do for them. Holding their hand at milestones in their lives or simply being there for some at moments where they struggle with certain challenges. Our profession is unique. That in itself is pure enjoyment for me. s
I studied law and although I left Belgium for another country and changed careers to work in IT for a while, against those odds I still became a BC Notary and am married to a BC Notary! Guess you could say it is in my blood . . . The Scrivener: You were the Year 2004 winner of the prestigious Bernard W. Hoeter Award in recognition of achieving the highest marks on all the Notarial Statutory Examinations. What motivated you to achieve that impressive level of academic success? FdS: My main motivation was to pass those exams! I still see those five big binders in front of me full of study material. I thought I would never be able to cram all that into my head by the day of the exam. But who was I to complain? My wife Hilde had done it before me. She was (and is) my beacon.
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Filip de Sagher
But who was I to complain? My wife Hilde had done it before me. She was (and is) my beacon. The Scrivener: Why do you mentor Notary students? FdS: My parents always have been my mentors and I am a mentor to Notary students. I enjoy teaching about our profession and passing on our The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia
Hilde and Filip at the 2017 Fall Conference Volume 26 Number 3 Fall 2017
