As we begin the search for the 2012 Notary of the Year to be honored at next year’s Conference in San Diego, the NNA takes a look back at past distinguished NOTY recipients over the years. This week’s profile is 2007 NOTY Joan Sampson.
It’s been nearly five years since Joan Sampson of Sheridan, California, was named Notary of the Year in 2007, but the importance of the designation has not faded.
“I was so blown away, you could have knocked me over with a feather,” Joan recalled in a recent interview. Joan has spent her career working in the real estate industry in Northern California. Most recently, she was employed by a local home builder, and being named Notary of the Year definitely helped.
“The award lent credence to my work, and my boss respected me for my professionalism,” she said. That reputation helped her get through most of the housing downturn as her company went from 33 employees to eight. But the hard realities of the economy finally hit home a few months ago, and Joan now finds herself in the job market once more.
On the advice of her career counselor, she has positioned her Notary of the Year designation at the top of her resume. Joan is far from discouraged and continues to take pride in her notarial professionalism. “One of the things that has been so rewarding for me is that my two Notary support groups are going strong.”
For years Joan has run two groups in the Sacramento area for Notaries to exchange information, keep up with new developments and discuss changes to the law.
Joan quipped about how some attendees chafe at the quizzes she gives during each meeting, “but I stop and make them think,” she said. “The quiz is a way to keep our skills sharp.” To keep her own skills sharp, Joan said she intends to make it to the NNA’s annual Conference in San Diego next year. “I come away from every single Conference with new information.”