Volunteer Services
By gwoman2
@gwoman2 (710)
United States
May 2, 2008 9:31am CST
I have been a translator/Public Notary for the past 20 years...I have never ever charged anyone for my services...now with the current state of the economy I find myself obligated to start my own Translation/Notary services and am feeling a bit guilty. Should I feel guilty? What's your opinion? Would appreciate any responses, negative, positive, whatever!You should know that here in New Jersey the charge for a notary has upped dramatically from $3.00 when I first began to $15.00...Of course I will not charge this amount, I figure $5-$10 is sufficient.
On translations, I have translated the Cumberland County Human Services Directory, all 106 pages!! I also translate personal letters and letters for immigration and the Sheriff's department. Also do flyers for events, etc, etc,etc. Because here in NJ we have an influx of Mexican immigrants there is a great need for translation...I know for a fact that there are unscrupulous persons out there that are taking advantage of these people and overcharging them, for example, persons I've notarized forms for have tried to give me $60.00-$80.00 for my services, I've not taken a dime, but they have payed this amount and more to the unscrupulous...these persons should be ashamed of themselves!! Anyway, let me know what you think.
Thank you
~G~
1 person likes this
2 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
18 May 08
I've always hated when I have to have something notarized and it costs me $10 to do so. I wouldn't expect someone to volunteer to do it, like any other job, but $10 always seemed like a lot. But if the rate is $15 there, you'd probably still get a lot of people for $10. Even here, I haven't really found anyone for less than that.
I don't think that you should feel guilty. Especially for something that isn't generally volunteer work.
I used to only design calendars and other such products for nonprofit organizations and then last year I decided to make one for myself as well to earn some extra money. I still ended up doing a lot better job on the volunteer calendars, but still I needed money too and I figured after years of doing that for free, I knew how to do it.
2 people like this
@gwoman2 (710)
• United States
19 May 08
Thank you Pigglies, for responding...as I wrote to my daughter, I didn't think anyone would respond because it's been here so long! Thank you, thank you.
It is amazing that when I began as a Notary it was $3.00 and when they swear you in they tell you you're not allowed to charge more than that, but as you know there are so many moneyhungry and unscrupulous peoples...you'd be amazed to see how many people come to me for notary services and want to hand me $50-70 bucks...I can't take it, just can't do it...I have always done it for free...but since buying a home with my daughter, money is tight and soooooooooooo many bills to pay...OMG!! So, soon I will have my own little business...again, but not to rip anyone off...that is never an option with me :-)
Stay cool and stay well...and again, thank you.
~G~
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
18 May 08
You should absolutely not feel guilty about charging- and I'm not just saying this because I am your daughter.
Being you daughter, I know you personally better than anyone and I know that you go above and beyond to extend your services- whether they be translation, or filling out paperwork for non-english speaking people, or cleaning up your neighborhood (as we did this morning), so why shouldn't you benefit from the fruits of your hard earned labor.
Many times I have seen you sitting on the couch for hours trying to finish translating this brochure for this organization or that catalog for that organization- with no compensation coming in return. I, many times feel that you are being taken advantage of, especially when you are translationg things for politicals like the board of chosen freeholders, or the city- I mean they pay for every other service- why not pay you what's right!
Love You,
V
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
19 May 08
Mom,
Don't let it discourage you that it takes time for some discussions to get responses. I have been on mylot forever and still have discussions with 0-2 responses- I used to worry about it- now I don't so much. I just figure that there are no mylotter with experience in the area of that particular discussion I am talking about.
