Is it considered discrimination????

[Mermaid02]

My guess would be that there is a history with this parent and the rules. Perhaps the parent him(her)self did not sign the rules in the past--maybe forgot and had someone else do it and then complained/made trouble.

I am sure he was not singled out without a good reason. I would forget about it and let those that run the organization handle it.

I agree that they most likely had some sort of problem with this parent last year, and are just covering their bases.

It sounds very likely that there were issues in the past with this parent creating problems. Just because you didn't see it on the field doesn't mean it didn't happen. Most of that kind of drama happens behind the scenes.

As for "discrimination," unless the parent is being singled out for race, gender, age, etc., it is not illegal discrimination.

I agree- the parents are probably "those parents" and the organization is just trying to CYA.

 

[doxdogy]

That would have been a bank signature guarantee. Having worked for a stock transfer agent years ago, a signature guarantee was required to transfer stock. In essence the bank was guaranteeing that it was John Doe signing the form and therefore they were accepting responsibility and liability if it wasn't John Doe signing the form. Whereas a notary is not.

I actually had a bank notary not put a medallion seal on a form once. He said they don't put medallion seals on just any type of form. But, medallion seals are a specific type of notary, required for things like stock certificates. I don't know if there are special requirements for plain notarizing. But, I do notice they always read over what I'm having them notarize and ask questions about the document.

 

[Imzadi]

I think that you are already getting sucked into parent drama your first year in.

Anyone else really curious about what happened that led to the need for the notarized document?

It does sound like parent drama. How did the OP happen to find out about this? (Unless (s)he is the parent being required the notary.) I can't imagine the organization said, "Just fill out the form, sign it and send it back. It's that simple. . . except for one family in which we are requiring them to get their signature notarized."

More than likely the drama parent is informing people. Unless it was an innocent, "You're new this year, are you being forced to get your form notarized, or am I the only one? No one had to do it last year."

 

[Disney Doll]

I agree with the PPs who said that these parents were probably "busters" the year before so the organization is trying to cover itself.

Frankly, I have no problem with an organization not making everyone do something if everyone is not making a problem. I always hated that in school and even now at work...one person screws up or does something wrong and evrybody has to change the way they do things.

 

[cntrygal]

Any chance that the child is a foster child and it is really the commisioner of social services that is signing the form, which he/she would have to as they are the true legal guardian of the child, even though the child lives with the foster parent(s) the commisioner signature is often noterized.

 

[ZachnElli]

I don't think it's discrimination either. Just sounds like there was an issue last year and the organization is just covering their bases. I am a notary public in my state and I'd check 2 pieces of ID and sign and stamp it no problem.

 

[pezheadmeg]

As a notary I would think nothing of stamping and signing the document. My only obligations are to check identification, verify the person is who they said they are, and then go through and make sure there are no blank spaces that can be altered after I've stamped the document. And in NY I'm not required to emboss, only stamp. I usually don't even carry my embosser with me.


But it does sound like that the parents might have had "issues" in the past and it's the organization doing a cover your a** move.

 

[kc10family]

Many of you are correct it is so not my business, however a little red flags pops up when I see or hear these types of things and I have to ask. (Why single him out? What happened last year? Does he just not play well with others? Can they just do that? Does someone just not like him? Why would they make this a public thing? Are they trying to show their power?) And to be honest I do feel it is discrimination to an extent (remember I am new so “first impressions” make you think). Maybe they are just harassing him.

Because we all sit in the same waiting room while the kids practice I can’t help but hear most of the conversations and at today’s practice one parent (she seems to know every ones business) said she read the dad’s new policies. She was saying something about not bringing allegations or lawsuits about any situation or anything that occurs with the group or any of its directors, volunteers or families. Again I have a red flag going up. What would prompt this? It’s just a summer performing group.

I have not asked anything about this to any of the other parents sitting around during practice as it is not my business, but it makes me wonder a lot. My reply when asked today what I think was “that’s interesting” and then I had to “use the bathroom” so I did not get sucked into it all.

I don’t know if John will be back or not I hope so because he seems to be a nice little kid. Today’s practice was not an all performers practice and I don’t know what John’s parts are so I don’t know his practice schedule.

Lesson learned- bring computer to all practices and engulf myself in it, avoid all gossip in the parent waiting area and keep my eyes open this summer.

 

[Imzadi]

Sounds like they do have history with him. Maybe from being in other groups. Maybe he's also one of those "sports dads" who think his special snowflake should be be considered one of the best players on the team, even though (s)he really doesn't have the skills. He might have threatened the coach, saying they were showing favoritism to the other kids and was going to sue. Maybe they are worried that if one kid gets picked to do a solo performance, he will go ballistic saying it should have been his kid picked instead, etc.

While this is curious, I'm glad you're staying out of it. It probably won't take long for the busybody mom to want to sink her hooks into you.