[CAUT] Guidelines, CAUT, PTG

[Ed Sutton]

Hat's off to you, Don!
Ed S.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Donald McKechnie 
  To: caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 1:54 PM
  Subject: [CAUT] Guidelines, CAUT, PTG


  This just needs to be said yet again; The Guidelines document is a great tool for CAUT's, and all, to use. It is not the end all and be all. Each situation is different. Use it wisely and to your best advantage. One does not just drop the Guidelines into the lap of an administrator and expect them to see the light. More often it is a matter of plugging away year after year (much like Barbara) until things get done. I believe using the Guidelines in the documentation you present will help in some small or large way. 


  I have been plugging away here at IC to get the maintenance program up to where it needs to be. No, I have not succeeded completely. There is still much to accomplish. But, if I look back at where this program was when I first arrived there have been many successes thanks in part to the Guidelines. If it does not work for you, well, we tried. There is one thing I am certain about; this publication has helped many in one way or another.


  This is an exciting time in the history of the CAUT committee. What we are up to right now is the seed of tremendous potential. All we ask is that you keep an open mind and hopefully the thought that a bit of change is healthy. (Change is inevitable in life, regardless of how much we fight it. :-) By all means, let's continue debate. This will also lead to greater understanding. 


  Please keep in mind that once PTG has a firm set of policies, etc. regarding CAUT, then it is time to market to academia in a greater way than what we have been doing. If you take the time to look you will see we have made some inroads already. For several years now the CAUT committee has attended and presented at the College Music Society conventions. There have been PTG booths regularly at MTNA conventions. Although NASM tries to ignore our message, they keep hearing from us. We have sent out many mailings with information. There is a foothold in place if you look. Yep, it is going to take time to arrive at an even greater visibility but in the end we on the CAUT committee feel academia, for the most part, will understand what we are all about. And just maybe, a bigger salary!


  We are still a work in progress here at IC. It would be great if I can see everything I want before it is time to leave. The reality is that this may not happen. Many of us who have served on the CAUT committee over the years share a deep commitment to improve the piano maintenance programs across academia. It has been a long haul since 1987 but again, look back and you can see a lot of success. Happy 20th to CAUT!


  As stated above, I may not see the full fruits of all this effort. If that is to be, so what. There is pleasure knowing I fought the good fight and may have helped others, and my successor, along the way. If one wants to just complain and not join the effort to change that's your decision. If that is the case, be happy. We hope you will join or at least support the efforts to expand the PTG. It is going to take some time but in the end I have no doubt it will have been worth it. 


  This past week I had the privilege of hearing one of the happiest people in the world give a lecture here at IC. The Dalia Lama of Tibet cannot even return to his own country yet this is one happy guy! I try my best to learn from folks like him on what it means to be content with what I have. But at the same time, being happy is not enough. Seeking knowledge is always key in the teachings of people like the Dalia Lama. PTG has made me (and many, many others) a happy camper. All the resources it provides for knowledge and understanding in our profession is astounding at times. If one chooses not to partake it is truly their loss.


  Regards,
  Don


  P.S. Whoa! What a segue from The Dalia Lama to PTG! :-))




  Don McKechnie
  Piano Technician
  Ithaca College
  dmckech at ithaca.edu
  607-274-3908







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