[CAUT] Student Membership Proposal

[Chris Solliday]

Friend Paul, 
 As you posted this on the CAUT list, I would at least like to hear some small airing of this important issue.
 So my feeling is that this is upside down and backwards. Think professional organization and forget the rest. This comes under the category of "trying to be all things to all people," not "bread on the water." If this organization gets any more spread out there will be no value left for the people who need it the most, the professional piano technicians. I believe we should let the schools, manufacturers, apprentice employment opportunities,  and  correspondence courses handle the education business. They are professionals after all. In my over thirty years in this "Guild," and I use the term loosely, I have seen countless classes given in what you should or could learn but very few actual skill improving learning opportunities. Most of that is manufacture originated, and they go on anyway, and in most cases you have to already be a professional to get what they are giving. So what extra value can these students hope to gain? You say they will stay in the organization and be able to go pass the test right after they graduate, well they can join and do that anyway or before graduation now. If they don't plan on passing the test and becoming a fully enabled member will they pay more to get little as Associates? I don't think so. They will probably quit. At this point being a PTG member or a RPT means almost nothing to the piano playing/owning public so again, where is the value in membership?
 These are broader issues than your propsal, but certainly related. In the end it is all about MARKETING, but we have not clarified what (the RPT brand) we are marketing so we are not even to the point of developing a realistic (BIG)  budget to implement anything. It is difficult  to consider any of this without asking over and over what is the value in being an RPT member of the PTG?
 I think there should be one membership dues, at least double what they are now, so that we can develop some value for membership for "Certified Piano Technicians." If anyone else wants to be a member they can be an Allied Tradesman and pay the same or more, and an Apprentice category could cover anyone who really wants to be a CPT and pass the test but hasn't arrived at that skill level. Just because someone is enrolled in a full time 2 year program seems very narrow for a membership category. How many people would this actually apply to? very few I think. Won't there be a ruckess from those not enrolled but who consider themselves serious students? There may be better ways  to reach out to these people, such as offering scholarships or discounting conventions (some things we already do at MARC) or something yet to be proposed that can give these admitedly serious students a helping hand, although I should point out, there are many of these folks who enter this organization and pass the RPT minimum standard test and do just fine under the present system. How many actual numbers does that leave that will improve things through this proposal? Less than my doubted very few mentioned earlier. The hobbyists, all includers, and education organization people, and I'm not saying you are one of these, are diluting what could be a great Guild that sets standards and maintains them for the greater good of the musical world. Too many missions leads to no value or mission dilution. This kind of thing is ruining the Guild. Forget it. JMHO.
 BTW I have looked over my Council book and don't see such a proposal before Council. I do see Proposals 1, 2, 6 & 8 as positive steps to improving member value and I hope they will all pass.
Chris Solliday
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Paul Kupelian 
  To: Caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 2:58 PM
  Subject: [CAUT] Student Membership Proposal


  STUDENT MEMBERSHIP PROPOSAL       

  By Paul Kupelian, RPT



  As Council approaches in Rochester, I would like to ask your opinion concerning the feasibility of a student membership category.  This category would only apply to individuals enrolled in a full time course of study in piano technology at an accredited institution and would be valid for a two year period or until the student completes the course work whichever is less.



  The student membership category would offer the student the opportunity to join PTG at a reduced dues rate of $100.00.  In order to be eligible for this dues rate, the student would have to have approval in writing of the dean or chair of the institution he or she is attending.



  If the application fee proposal is passed, I would also encourage a reduced application fee for students. Chapter dues would be waived at the discretion of the chapter.



  The rational behind this proposal is to give the student a chance to join PTG while engaged in piano technology. I view it as 'casting bread upon the water'. This way the student becomes an active participant in PTG and will most likely stay in the organization once he/she completes the coursework. This would also allow the student to upgrade to RPT immediately following graduation if not before thereby providing PTG with more skilled technicians and future instructors.



  I am inviting your comments both pro and con on the merits of this proposal so please contact me at NERVP at ptg.org, or 315-623-9484. 


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