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 2009 Notary of the Year Elaine Wright.
Educator, book author, technology enthusiast, and recent Spanish-language learner, Elaine Wright, the NNA’s 2009 Notary of the Year, continues to focus on growing her own notarial expertise and using it to mentor Notaries and Notary Signing Agents.
“We are the gatekeepers for deterring fraud and provide a service that keeps the economy moving,” Wright said of her role as a Notary, which is what she teaches the students enrolled in the courses she has developed at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. “It is imperative that we understand and perform the proper notarial procedures with accuracy and professionalism.”
From learning how to design her own website, to finding ways to use Facebook and other social media platforms to expand her business and educate others, Wright continues to embrace new technologies and use them to her advantage. “Embracing new technology opens a lot of doors that would otherwise be challenging due to cost, time, and location,” said Wright, who uses technology both as an educator and as a Signing Agent herself. “I am able to take advantage of e-loan signings, which allows me to command a higher fee for the Notary Signing Agent services that I provide.”
Wright said being honored as the 2009 Notary of the Year has helped position her as an expert that new Notaries can come to for help — a responsibility she takes very seriously and strives to live up to every day. “I try to validate it through the service, education, and enthusiasm that I provide to all those with whom I come in contact.”