"Mandate" is a word used in Louisiana to say "Power of Attorney. When a person cannot be present for an event, he or she can create a mandate to have someone else do it for them. In any other state, it is still called a power of attorney.

The principal is the person who is making the mandate, giving someone else the power to sign or represent them in some event where they would rather be but cannot be for some reason. The reasons will vary, and the person on the receiving end of the mandate, that is, the person that will be attending the event in place of the principal, is called the agent.

This form will require two (2) witnesses to verify all the facts and signatures. The notary cannot be one of them, and neither the principal nor the agent can be either. So you will need two other people to witness this form.

A properly filled-out mandate does not guarantee that the agent will be successful in their efforts to substitute for the principal. Some organizations have their own paperwork, like banks. There are others. Some have specific wording requirements. If you are contemplating a Power of Attorney form, or mandate, be sure to find out if your organization does require some wording that must be present in the form. This will make it easier when you are trying to get something done.