Posted by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 1:12pm
Msg #491024

Has anyone emailed or spoken with

their Secretary of State, notary division or the federal fair trade practices commission about this alleged/proposed signing professional standards or their workgroup? I'm sure whomever is behind this has consulted attorneys who are up
aware of federal and each state laws, but I have been calling and talking with my state and federal agencies as I encourage all of you to as this appears to be treading on some questionable areas of law. That is all
I will say at this point. But remember there is power in numbers and I encourage everyone to start calling and emailing the appropriate agencies.

I don't know what people balk at a National Organization of Notaries run by and for notaries. This is what needs to happen. There are some smart people on this board with entry if time to
post all day I wish one or a few would step up to this challenge. I will volunteer my time to get this up and running. I just do to have the resources to set it up or to manage it on my own.

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 1:15pm
Msg #491025

typo -Federal Trade Commision regarding fair trade practices n/m

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 2:09pm
Msg #491028

Lots if typos. Hate auto correct but

hopefully you understand my post

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 2:15pm
Msg #491029

http://www.nationalnotary.org/bulletin/bulletin_articles/new n/m

Reply by HSH/WA on 11/2/13 2:25pm
Msg #491030

Re: Can't get a work in edgewise - joke n/m

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 2:27pm
Msg #491031

You can read for yourself what the CFPB says

http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201204_cfpb_bulletin_service-providers.pdf

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/2/13 2:55pm
Msg #491032

I'm not afriad!

I'm happy to help with this... though I know I'd be fairly opinionated about what an organizations like that would and would not do, membership standards, etc. For example... members must verified actively commissioned notaries in their state. I'd also suggest that members must have passed a background screening (subject to multiple vendors and standards... not just one or two, but one of their choice that meets certain standards). I'd also suggest it be truly non-profit and no compete with NotRot in any shape or form.

Reply by Roger_OH on 11/2/13 3:09pm
Msg #491033

Don't need to re-invent the wheel...

Starting a state organization, let alone a national one, and a non-profit to boot, is a daunting task; it's full of regulations, filing requirements, board members, membership recruitment and maintenance, and financial/tax considerations. It's pretty much a full-time endeavor.

A number of NotRoters are members of the American Society of Notaries or the American Assn of Notaries. Would suggest tapping those existing resources, and enlisting their support as NSA advocates, before attempting to start a whole new organization from scratch.

I would like to see a few more state organizations created to support notary principles and advocate for their state law changes where necessary.

Reply by FGX/NJ on 11/2/13 3:32pm
Msg #491034

Re: Don't need to re-invent the wheel...

Roger
Good idea.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/2/13 4:16pm
Msg #491035

Re: Don't need to re-invent the wheel...

Right, which is why I thin it would be fairly difficult... only BECAUSE other organizations already exist. But, in reality, what good are *those* organizations doing? I don't ask that to be negative about any of them... I just wonder because I have been a member of some of these other organizations in the past and I've never benefited from membership that I can recall.

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 6:56pm
Msg #491049

How true Marian. Our state organization does nothing for us

Most notary organization are a capitalist business venture not there to advocate for us

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/2/13 4:18pm
Msg #491036

Two questions for you

"...this appears to be treading on some questionable areas of law. That is all I will say at this point. But remember there is power in numbers and I encourage everyone to start calling and emailing the appropriate agencies."

I think calls and emails will be much more effective if those "questionable areas of law" are identified first.
IF some **specific** infringement can be found (with reference to relevant law or statute) then the troops have an issue to rally around - and will be more likely to be taken seriously. (Maybe the issue of too closely directing activities of an independent contractor? Over-reaching, mandated authorizations? Restraint of trade? I don't really know.)

So my first question is what, exactly, is the law that has been broken by any specific party - XYZ or title co - that would be of interest to any state authority? By citing an infraction, there's a much better chance of being heard. If it's just unhappy notaries who don't like change, then there's no credibility and no state agency is likely to be interested.

Keep in mind that to the outside world, this whole issue appears to simply be what probably looks like a reasonable response to the CFPB's efforts to ensure consumer protections. Anecdotes about incompetent notaries who crossed the line are probably easy to come by, sadly. If we want to raise a ruckus and stop any of this, I think it's critical to be clear regarding any infringement of state or federal law OR infringement of any individual's or class's legal rights. And if there isn't anything to cite, it may be a waste of effort that leaves us sounding like a bunch of whiners and complainers. I think I've already made my feelings about this issue pretty clear, but that doesn't change any of what I'm saying here.


My second question is how would this organization you recommend be any different from several already existing notary associations or societies? True, some of them are just regional in focus, and the creation of what you're proposing would be initiated for different reasons. But as Steven Covey says, "Begin with the end in mind." So how would this national organization be run, managed and administered? Has anyone spoken to those other agencies to find out what it would take to set up something like what you're proposing? Is someone willing to take this on as a full-time enterprise, including opening an office, hiring staff, dealing with all the legalities, etc., etc....? Without those steps in place, I don't think that kind of an effort has a prayer of succeeding.

I'm not saying don't try. I'm just saying know what you're talking about before starting. (Like we always recommend for new notaries. ) There's no point to, or results from, all of us just spouting off about stuff we don't like - other than feeling better for the moment - unless a well thought out plan is put together, based on facts and a specific, well researched goal. Without that, I don't think you're going to get the kind of support it will take.

So my suggestion to anyone who wants to have a positive impact on this issue is to do lots more research and document, document, document. Perhaps get some legal opinions on where any of this may be crossing some line. Then use the grapevine (maybe PMs, etc.) to organize, before charging ahead and going public with it.

Just my 2 cents...

Reply by Sha/CA on 11/2/13 4:47pm
Msg #491040

Excellent post, Janet. Food for deep thought. n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 11/2/13 5:17pm
Msg #491042

Mission must have purpose, goal and appropriate audience

Lots of ideas are being kicked around, but I have yet to hear any thing out there that is solid to meet this challenge.

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 7:54pm
Msg #491053

Exactly. We need a leader Cheryl, an agency that will

advocate for US not THEM or I like to call them, The Others

Reply by CarolF/NC on 11/2/13 7:50pm
Msg #491052

Each state will be different. Each state most likely has

different agencies who govern certain practices. Which is why I suggest everyone call the appropriate agencies for their state. You can call me and I'll explain. Complaining on this board does not help. Another agency of interest is your State Labor board.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/2/13 8:41pm
Msg #491060

Think we'd get farther faster with Federal agencies n/m

Reply by Help For Homeowners and AMS on 11/2/13 8:41pm
Msg #491059

Carol, Please email me.

Hi Carol. will you email me your contact info. I'd like to talk with you, if I may. Please?