Knowledge is Powerful . . . I Enjoy Sharing Mine

I have served on the Society of BC Notaries’ Board of Directors and was a member of the Education Committee. Over 20 years ago, I was a speaker at a Notary conference to share my knowledge and I have been teaching courses to Notary candidates ever since...

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Article From: Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce - June 2020

Like most businesses, FEDEWICH & WITT Notaries Public have been trying to chart their way in these unprecedented times. Their hope, by sharing their stories, is that they can help fellow business and community members.

Below is what they asked we share with their fellow Chamber members:

We have purchased new hardware and software, created policies for social distancing and reimagined how to do our work safely while complying with new health orders and changing laws. We have been humbled by our loyal employees who have adapted to change and worked hard despite the stress of a pandemic. We are proud to say that we remain open for business during regular hours and we have modified our office space and office procedures to keep people safe. The main changes to our business are that we are taking instructions from clients by phone, emailing documents to clients and meeting with clients over the phone to review their documents in detail. When we meet clients in person it is a short appointment where we can view their identification and witness them sign their documents. Our meeting tables are 2 meters long and we sit at opposite ends. We have reviewed documents by phone for 5 weeks now and clients are impressed with the quality of service and they feel safe in our office. We clean with a bleach solution between each appointment and disinfect surfaces twice a day. We will wear an N95 mask and gloves upon request and have plexiglass at our reception counter.

To minimize any disruption to our service in the event one of our team becomes ill we have one notary and some staff working from home. We also have another notary from Langley who has provided us vacation relief over the years, and he will work for us if needed.

Some other hightlights include:

  • A realtor delivered purchase and mortgage documents to a client who was self isolating at home, and she did not have a printer. Norm reviewed the documents over the phone, and she signed at home all except the documents that he needed to witness. She drove to our office and Norm viewed her id and took photos of it for our file and he witnessed her sign through her car window.
  • We completed a refinance file in one day for a young pilot and his wife who were concerned that if he lost his job he may not qualify for their new mortgage. Trish reviewed their documents for an hour on Sunday and as the pilot had just returned from out of the country, we did not see them in our office, but instead witnessed them sign documents through their car window parked outside our office.
  • On a Saturday, Trish attending at care home in Delta to witness an 88-year-old lady sign her will, power of attorney and representation agreement. The documents had been delivered to her in the home by her son and Trish had reviewed them by phone for an hour. As the home is under quarantine, Trish instructed the client by phone and witnessed the documents through the window of the care home.