Friday, April 24, 2009

COMING SOON! Featured VBA's!

On April 27, 2009, I will once again start posting the "Featured VBA" here on VBATalk.blogspot.

During the time you are the Featured VBA (two weeks) I will link updates on Twitter. Many Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys will see your bio through this link.

I started this earlier in the year, but certain things happened that I was unable to keep it up.

Well, I'm back and so are the VBA's.

If you are an NSVBA member and would like to be featured, simply submit your bio to vikki@nsvba.com

This is very good exposure for your VBA businesses. Once you are a Featured VBA, you can link the article on your website. Free advertising which will last forever. Can't beat that.

I hope you consider the impact this can have on your VBA business and you will submit your bio soon!

Wishing you wildly successful days!
Vikki

NSVBA
http://www.nsvba.com/

P.S.- Not sure what to write? Check out the previous "Featured VBA's" located here.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Future Events for NSVBA and the VBA

NSVBA offers service, support, networking and marketing to our members. But we can't do it alone. Each VBA must do their part to market and network their Independent Businesses.

Here are a few events which might be of interest to you, the VBA.

17th Annual NACBA Convention in Chicago, IL May 29, 30, 31
Although this event is not open to the public, NSVBA members are offered different options to be present at this event. Go to http://www.nsvba.com/ and Click on "Membership".

NALS-The association for legal professionals. This organization has regional groups throughout the United States. Here in CA, their Orange County group is very active, holding monthly dinner meetings. They also have a Convention coming up in Las Vegas in the month of June.

ABJA-Association of Bankruptcy Judicial Assistants-ABJA holds their conference once a year in the fall. This year, the Conference is being held in Baltimore, MD in October.

I encourage NSVBA members to reach out to other VA's and VBA's and find out what is going on in their immediate area. The only way you're going to meet people of the same mind and ideas, is to reach out and meet them.

Join Associations and Organizations which edify the legal professional.

Vikki

Monday, April 20, 2009

Accountability

When one claims the title of "Industry Leader", one takes on an enormous responsibility.

If you run an organization that includes members, you take on an extraordinary responsibility. Not only do you represent the "industry"; now, your members look to you to represent them. Hopefully, in the best possible light.

Needless to say, relationships become very important. Business and personal.

If the so-called "Industry Leader" behaves in a way that is not professional, everyone within their organization and associated with that "Industry Leader" suffers.

If the so-called "Industry Leader" makes the decision to advise, train, or otherwise encourage its members to extend themselves beyond the scope of their duties crossing that fine line of "UPL" once again, anyone associated with the Industry Leader and the organization suffers.

Not only that, they run the risk of losing their credibility within the industry and with their members.

My feeling is that Industry Leaders do not have the luxury of saying what they want without first considering how their words and actions could affect the industry they represent. One can say they are held to a higher standard.

If one decides they are to be the "Industry Leader", Making claims such as "the only organization that offers their type of service", "no one around is doing what they do"; that "Industry Leader" should carefully consider their actions.

Some will respond by saying, "what the Industry Leader says or does will not affect my Independent business".

If you are part of the organization or associated with an Industry Leader who advertises on the internet as the only game in town, like it or not, you are associated.

Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, Virtual Paralegals, Freelance Bankruptcy Assistants, have worked very hard to get where they're at. Specifically, the members of the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, LLC.

They are ethical, responsible, and run legitimate businesses.

The members of NSVBA, LLC understand they do not run the attorneys law firm, they assist. When and if an attorney has a question about "bankruptcy law" and that slippery slope of UPL, the VBA directs the attorney to NACBA.

As a regular Exhibitor at the NACBA Conventions, National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, LLC has always referred our new attorneys to NACBA and other experts in the bankruptcy industry.

We look forward to seeing you next year in Washington, D.C. at the Annual NACBA Convention!


Vikki Watanabe
President
National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, LLC
www.nsvba.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Back to work

It's been awhile since I've been able to post on my VBA Blog.

I hit a serious bump in the road which resulted in major surgery and a lengthy recuperation. I'm told full recovery is 6 months to 1 year. Which is fine with me.

I've been back to work since I arrived home from the hospital. It's excruciating for me to sit still even when I'm feeling lousy. Enough about me,.

Let's move on to other things of interest to VBA's and Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

I'm so excited about the events coming up in May for the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants.

We are going to the NACBA Convention in Chicago, IL. NACBA is the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

We have 5 NSVBA members working the NSVBA Exhibit Table. This is a great opportunity for NSVBA members to be part of the Convention to market their businesses directly to NACBA members and also market the NSVBA and it's membership. Additionally, every NSVBA member who does not attend the Convention is encouraged to send their marketing materials (business cards, brochures, etc) to be given out at the Convention. Also, the NSVBA members send a "Raffle Prize" to be given away during the Convention.

Once we return from Chicago, the schedule will be even more hectic. We have several training Webinars lined up. We also have "Live" Seminars lined up for those VBA's who need a more "hands on" type of training.

Soon after that, it will be time to get ready for the NACBA Fall Conference. Once again, we will offer the opportunity for NSVBA members to attend. In order for an NSVBA member to attend any NACBA event, they must pay a participation fee (anywhere between $300.00-$500.00 each). Also, each participant must attend the "Convention Webinars" prior to the event. They must also commit to work at the Exhibit Table the whole weekend.

Each participant is responsible for their own airline, hotel and meal expenses.

This year, we have several VBA's who have formed VBA Partnerships. In order for a partnership to attend the NACBA event, each "partner" must pay the full participation fee. If only one partner pays, only one partner attends.

NACBA events are not open to the public. This is a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Convention. Only attorneys, Sponsors and Exhibitors are allowed.

While at each Convention and Conference, NSVBA will hold a VBA "Post Convention" Luncheon. This year, on the last day of the Convention in Chicago, IL, the luncheon will be held on May 31, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. Location: TBD

We hope if you are in the Chicago area, you will come out and join us for lunch. NSVBA will pick up the tab for appetizers and drinks.

I will also begin what I started earlier this year. Our Featured VBA. I will post the next Featured VBA beginning on April 27, 2009.

If you are an NSVBA member and would like to submit your bio for the VBA Blog, please send them to vikki@nsvba.com

If you've been thinking about joining NSVBA, now would be the time. We have so many things planned and we would love to have you be part of all that is happening!

See you Online!
Vikki
President
NSVBA-National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants
http://www.nsvba.com/

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Featured VBA-Sue Durkovich-Vista, CA

"Virtual" Assistant: A person who can multi-task jobs for different people in different locations without ever leaving home.

This type of work is becoming very popular for people who like flexible working hours and who do not enjoy being in traffic congestion for an extended period of time.

When I first heard about Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, I felt this would be ideal to add to my notary business. I have been a California Notary Public for 15 years and the past six years added the job of loan closings which became popular for notaries. While I was working a full time job, I was doing closings in the evenings and on weekends. I soon found I could be busy more than full time so I left my job to build the notary business. The business was very lucrative for over a year, but then began to slow down. The bankruptcy assistant field was emerging and since I had worked as a paralegal in the 90's, I felt my legal background would be advantageous.

I found there was much more training and studying to do to be able to do this type of work and I spent many hours learning from a paralegal who had worked in the bankruptcy area for 20 years. She really knew the business and developed a wonderful training program with excellent materials. I also attended a few of her seminars.

Bankruptcy petition preparation can be done for any licensed attorney anywhere in the United States since bankruptcy is Federal law. I use Best Case software and I can do a petition for any jurisdiction. By using my services, I can save a law firm time and overhead expenses. The debtor meets with the attorney, is given Intake Forms to complete; the forms are returned to the attorney for review and then given to me to prepare. If information is missing or incomplete, I will prepare a list of questions for the debtor (with a copy to the attorney) and email the debtor. With the attorney's permission, I will continue to communicate with the debtor until the petition is complete. The attorney is always kept informed of the questions and/or conversations between the debtor and myself. I can communicate with the debtor at a time convenient for him (including evenings or weekends). However, I do understand I never give legal advice and if the debtor has a legal question, I will write it down and direct it to the attorney. In fact, when first talking with a client I make sure they know I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice.

I invite you to visit my website: http://www.petitionsos.com/ or call me at 760-224-6507 if I can answer any questions.

Attorneys: You can contact Sue at her website listed above. Once there, go to the "Contact Us" page. There, you will find Sue's contact information.

I have personally known Sue for two years. Sue assisted me on my first petition preparation and has developed training material for the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant and also for the Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney.

Thank you Sue for this great information and introduction to your services!

Vikki

New Beginnings

Looks like 2009 is going to be just a little different than I had originally planned.

For starters, I resigned as Executive Director of the American Association of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants effective today, February 17, 2009.

This was not something I had not envisioned for myself or the organization.

But now that it's done, I need to move forward.

I know for many people, change is difficult. This might be difficult, I don't know. Only time will tell. One thing I know for sure. I made the right decision.

The VBA industry is fast becoming a popular career considering the economic climate.

For myself, I have always believed in this business and I knew, eventually, attorneys would see the benefit of hiring an Independent Contractor to prepare petitions. I also knew, that with a little convincing, the seasoned bankruptcy attorneys would eventually come around. Why not? It is a win win for everyone.

So now what? My heart and my passion to help people attain their goals in this industry is what drives me, so I'll continue going in that direction.

The new organization is the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants. Although, I want to drop the virtual. Why you ask? Some of us work in an attorneys office one or two days a week. That's not virtual.

Myself, I pick up Client files from my local attorneys and bring them to my home office to prepare. From there on, the attorneys and I work virtually, electronically. Meaning our communication is via email, fax, phone or text.

In the coming months, I suspect there will be more and more organizations and associations forming and why not. There is more than enough room for anyone who wants to do this.

If anything, I encourage you.

Be creative.

Form your partnerships as many of you have already done.

Just promise me you'll stay true to yourself, honest, professional and never give anyone a reason to say anything but good things about you. If you do this, I've got your back all the way.

So here's to 2009 and the many changes it is obviously going to bring. I say, bring it on.

Stay encouraged,
Vikki

Monday, February 2, 2009

Featured Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant-Dee Medlin, Anderson, CA

The featured VBA (Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant), for the first two weeks of February is Dee Medlin.

If you're new to this blog, I am featuring AAVBA members in 2009. I will feature a new VBA every two weeks. Dee's biography will run through February 16th.
If you are a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney considering the services of a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, read Dee Medlin's biography. I am confident you will find her to be a top notch professional.

For those considering the career of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant and would like more information, please leave your request in the "Comments" section of this blog. I will get back to you asap.


DEE MEDLIN


Professional Information:

I bring over 30 years experience in the Tech Sector working for 2 Fortune 500 companies in various roles. I served as an Executive Assistant supporting the Vice Presidents for over 8 years and over 11 years experience in software development as a Software Engineer. I left the tech sector at the end of 2005 and moved to Sacramento, California in the Bay Area. I served one year at Stanford University as an HR Systems Analyst. I was ready for a career change and had already spent some time researching opportunities for home businesses.

In January of 2007, I discovered VBA's through 713Training.com After weeks of research into this field and encouragement from the wonderful man in my life, I took the step and purchased all the training materials in March. In April, I completed the training and attended a two-day seminar in Southern California. In June, I launched my website and received my VBA accreditation. In July, I landed my first attorney client and filed my first case in August. I averaged about 2 cases a month for the rest of the year. I continued marketing but was not getting the response or the revenue I was expecting. I took on a part-time job in January 2008 and continued marketing. I made the turn in July and quit the part-time job and now devote 100% to my business. I currently support 9 attorneys from CA, FL, OH, AZ, Y, NC, and WA.

Through the 713Training membership, I met Vikki Watanabe and we began to talk and share stories (and struggles) of what is required to be successful not only in this field but as an Independent Contractor. Vikki and I collaborated on introducing SKYPE to AAVBA members and we provided an informative Webinar on the subject. It was a great opportunity and my first venture in co-hosting a Webinar. I look forward to future project and opportunities with AAVBA and working with fellow members.


Personal Information:

We are an active and lively family with 4 grown kids. We love to camp, fish, golf, cook, eat and entertain. I also enjoy a good book and watching movies. My goal this year is to plant a vegetable garden. I can't wait to play in the dirt!



Attorneys: You can read more about Dee's services at her website.

Title 11 Virtual Assistant

http://www.t11va.com/

From there, you can contact her via her "Home" page.


On a personal note, Dee has been instrumental in the development of AAVBA. She extends herself giving of her time unselfishly. Dee has mentored many AAVBA members. I would not have been able to grow this organization to where it is without Dee and other AAVBA members who give their time to help others become successful.

Thank you Dee,

Vikki