RE Why Keep PTG Politics Of

[Kenneth Sloane]

                      Subject:                              Time:  12:59 PM
  OFFICE MEMO         RE Why Keep PTG Politics Off...         Date:  12/3/95

I am posting a copy of a previous post of mine pertaining to the subject
accompanied with a few other comments:

----------------PREVIOUS POST-------------------

I think the home office should should develop a network dedicated to the
exchange of PTG administrative and legislative philosophy. The membership
should be open to all and the subject matter limited to non-technical matters
of PTG. I think it would be of value in two ways:

(1) It would put our "dirty laundry" out of sight of those members and
non-members who may be turned off to hearing about it.

(2) I think the "dirty laundry" would benefit from being aired among those
interested in PTG administration. Maybe, just maybe, people would have a
chance to discuss sensitive issues throughout the year so that PTG's yearly
council might run more smoothly. It may also shed some light on why people
drop out of PTG.

Let's keep Pianotech technical in nature. I also support posts that contribute
information about the piano industry in general such as sales and market
statistics that reflect the flow and health of the piano industry.

Ken Sloane, Oberlin Conservatory

--------------------------------------------

First of all, I think any organization must learn to cope with
confrontational, internal politics. However, the operative word  in the
previous sentence is *internal*. Why then, when it is common knowledge that
prospective members of PTG are sometimes discouraged from membership because
of the politics in the organization must we "flaunt" them. As my previous post
implies, it is necessary to deal with the political hassles in PTG. Indeed,
the outcome of the political battles at our annual Council help to define the
nature of our organization. But there is no good reason to involve people
without a vested interest in the organization of our poltical affairs. They
should be encouraged and helped educationally  by caring professionals and
later, if they join and are inclined, help to shape the political structure of
PTG.

Ken Sloane, Oberlin Conservatory

PS --   My boss, an administrator for Oberlin College, sometimes reads
Pianotech. His impression of our organization is one of fellow professionals
volunteering assistance to one another. He gladly fights for funds to send me
and my fellow work associates to the educational functions sponsored by PTG. I
*do not* think he should be able to see our political diatribes against one
another.