BC Notaries Fall Conference 2018

The Fall Conference Cruise actually started on land on Friday, September 7, with a luncheon at the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver for members, sponsors, and colleagues.

The Society of Notaries Public of BC held its 91st Annual General Meeting in the afternoon, chaired by President Rhoda Witherly, with Registered Parliamentarian John Noonan. Society members from all over the province were able to participate in electronic voting. The dinner for former Society Presidents and Directors was held Friday evening to celebrate the years of dedicated service by the many volunteer members of The Society Board. The BC Notaries Association was formally launched by Association President Daniel Boisvert and CEO Jacqui Mendes. Membership applications were opened to its three classes of membership: Practicing Notaries, Retired Notaries, and Students.

Saturday afternoon was all aboard for the Fall Conference with delegates setting sail on the Golden Princess, voyaging from Vancouver to

Tammy Morin Nakashima Jessie Vaid

Linda Manning

Los Angeles. Over 130 BC Notaries, guests, and sponsors embarked on the journey to California, including Society President Rhoda Witherly and Board members Tammy Morin Nakashima, Jessie Vaid, and Linda Manning.

At the opening reception on Saturday evening, delegates had much fun competing for costume prizes on the theme “Adventures At Sea.” The range of attire was fabulous, featuring mermaids, pirates, and many sea creatures including a crab, shark, squid, a particularly inspiring jellyfish, and an angler fish. Thanks to all the delegates who put such time into creating their costumes!

Tiah Workman

The hatches were battened down on Sunday for continuing education sessions throughout the day. Nanaimo Notary Tiah Workman and Society General Counsel Ron Usher started us off with an in-depth look at the Do’s and Don’ts of Personal Planning and Executorship. Society Executive Director John Mayr illustrated how to keep corporate and personal data safe in a session on Privacy & Security. In the afternoon the focus was John Mayr on Title Insurance with presenters Brett Horton and Amanda Magee from Stewart Title.

Brett Horton Amanda Magee

Thanks also to these representatives who attended the session: Lori Sartor from First Canadian Title (FCT) and John Rider from Chicago Title. Ron Usher and Delta Notary and BC Notaries Association President Daniel Boisvert rounded off the day with a presentation on the current Practice Advisory Line (PAL) issues and advice.

Lori Sartor

John Rider

Sunday evening featured our amazing keynote speaker Colin Angus, adventurer, filmmaker, and bestselling author who enthralled the

It was a memorable voyage with BC Notaries and their families.

audience with his travels around the world to complete the first humanpowered circumnavigation of the Earth. Colin shared his strategies for achieving the seemingly impossible, increasing efficiency, maintaining motivation, and risk management.

Colin continued the story of his journeys the following day, narrating his experience of navigating the full length of the Amazon and the ongoing development of a sail and solar-powered boat that can operate autonomously to collect research data. Colin was very much part of the conference cruise and attended the costume reception in head-to-toe full pirate rig!

It was a memorable voyage with BC Notaries and their families. Thanks again to the conference sponsors who helped make it possible. s