About Jacqui Mendes

The primary aim of the trade association is assisting Notaries to grow their businesses and scope of practice, as well as develop their skills and business acumen.

That will enable my esteemed colleague John Mayr, Executive Director of The Society of Notaries Public, to focus exclusively on best practices in all areas of Notary regulation and on the Practice Assistance Line (PAL) services that are essential resources for members.

The trade association’s mandate will be fulfilled through • advocacy, • stronger municipal and provincial engagement, • increased exposure and awareness of notarial services to the public at large and to sector stakeholders via enhanced communications, • branding and marketing (particularly through digital media), and • continuing education credits and events, including the signature Spring and Fall Notary

Conferences.

One of the messages I’ve heard clearly over and over again during my first weeks at BC Notaries from members and the many organizations that have close relationships with us is how excellent, enjoyable, and well-run BC Notary Conferences have been over the years.

The trade association will continue to build on that tradition. I very much look forward to welcoming our members, Notary students, and guests to the Spring Conference at the brand-new JW Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver, April 7 and 8, and at the Fall Conference, September 8 to 11, on the high seas as we cruise from Vancouver to LA!

Save those dates and watch for early registration information. The cruise will feature exciting options for members and their families to continue on to other great destinations.

Vegas or Disneyland anyone? s

As an association professional, I have had a diverse personal experience and journey to date, culminating in my present position as CEO of the nascent BC Notaries trade association.

My association career started in British theatre. A literature lover and an avid catholic reader of fiction, biography, drama, and poetry, I’ll read the back of a cornflake package if nothing else is to hand!

My first association post was in the late ‘80s in London, England, running the Friends of the Royal Court Theatre. Known as “the writers’ theatre,” it cultivates and promotes the work of undiscovered and established dramatists and theatre talent and is still very much an international force.

World-renowned writers such as Caryl Churchill (Serious Money), Sir David Hare (The Hours), and Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons) had plays produced there; huge hits such as Mamma Mia, directors such as Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire), actors such as Juliet Stevenson, Alan Rickman (famously Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films), and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit!) have all been nurtured by the theatre. The Friends raised revenue to support young writers and fund productions.

I then moved to my other great interest—fine arts, through taking over as the Secretary of the Friends of the Tate, which also encompasses the Patrons of New and British Art respectively. As a national gallery housing publicly owned works, the Tate has branch galleries across the UK; the Friends events included branch visits and art tours around Britain and private houses normally closed to the public—they were hugely enjoyable and inspiring.

The biggest thrills while at the Tate were walking through the gallery when it was closed to the public and seeing the renowned painter Francis Bacon visit his paintings in person. In 2013 one of his works sold for $142 million, the highest price ever paid at auction. The biggest and most appreciated perk was being able to choose works from the collection to display in my office.

A third association incarnation was 8 years working with over 800 nonprofit landlords throughout British Columbia with the BC NonProfit Housing Association. It was an incredible experience supporting the professionals whose life’s work is to provide much-needed affordable housing, shelters, and supports to the most vulnerable in our communities.

The affordable housing sector continuum runs from homelessness, transition/transitional housing, lowincome rental, and affordable home ownership so the diversity and types of work of the members was broad. Evidence-based advocacy, education, asset management, and sector capacity-building were the key support areas, with internal priorities around enhancing the sector brand through effective communications and events.

BC Notaries is a natural progression from the housing sector for me in terms of association management, particularly as I worked closely with stakeholders who focused on home ownership and seniors’ housing.

My cumulative experience and competencies in member-based organizations are now at the service of BC Notaries. I look forward to continuing the high standards of public support they have provided throughout their history as a unique provincial association. s