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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gee whiz Kendall in the time it took you concoct
adn expound all that you might have passed an exam... and not one mention
of CAUT. This discussion is more appropriately addressed to the ptg-l list. If
you know what that one is. I'm sorry about your test anxiety, I really suggest
joining the PTG and taking some test preparation classes to help get
past that.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Chris Solliday rpt</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=kenbean@pacbell.net href="mailto:kenbean@pacbell.net">Kendall Ross
Bean</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=ed440@mindspring.com
href="mailto:ed440@mindspring.com">'Ed Sutton'</A> ; <A title=caut@ptg.org
href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">'College and University Technicians'</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, July 11, 2008 6:17 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Thoughts on being a
Guild member or "non-member."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Dear Ed~</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>I have enjoyed your posts on the listserves very much over the years
and I sincerely appreciate your taking the time out from your busy schedule to
address some of my concerns. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>I appreciate very much your input, and while I agree with much of
what you say, I must most respectfully disagree with some of your ideas. As
Jim Bryant once said "I always have a problem in disagreeing with a person I
like and respect." ;-)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>By the way, I understand Karen (my wife) is writing you concerning your
comments. Please be reassured that she has her opinions and I have mine.
(-in other words, this is not like I am siccing my Rotweiler on you,
although you may feel like it after she gets through! ;-). You
have my sympathies!) </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>In regards to your comments:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>1) Thank you very much for the history and background. This very
pertinent information would have helped me (and others) much more had it been
posted on the CAUT info page, which I consulted before deciding to post.
Often, because of the way sites are set up, and a lack of available guidelines
about what is appropriate, it's: "make the mistakes, then we'll tell you
what we expect." Oh well, I guess that's life. -no hard
feelings. Also, I wasn't aware I was cross-posting every thought to both
lists. As a matter of fact, I tried to make a concerted effort not to do
this. If you take a closer look at my recent posts on both lists, I think you
will see that, except perhaps for the subject titles and the initial post,
they are quite different. But I do have more of a sense now for what is
"expected" or appropriate behaviour, (even though I'm still not exactly sure
what it is.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>2) Very eloquent indeed, and I agree with you about most of what you
say here, except for what the most difficult problem facing the PTG is. The
problems you enumerate are indeed happening; I have observed them from outside
the PTG now, as well as inside. The problems definitely include the
multiple and conflicting standards by which young technicians are
judging their own work, or their need for improvement, including but not
limited to: a) customers who may not know what competence really means,
and who tolerate low standards; and b) experienced technicians who seem to be
doing quite well without the PTG. (It's possible, you
know.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>I agree that motivating people to a higher level of excellence is
a major challenge, especially when Providence seems to be rewarding them
for efforts which fall so short of the mark; or when "subaccomplished"
technicians feel they are doing, or have done, enough, and asking
them to do more is considered an imposition. (Young technicians are
like that. Actually, come to think of it, older ones are
too.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>In making the following remarks, I need to emphasize that I am not at
all "against" the Guild. I respect the Guild for many of the wonderful things
it does, and the wonderful members who give so generously of their time to
help others. I experienced this firsthand when I was a member. The
Guild has much to recommend it. These comments of mine that follow are given
from the point of view of someone who has been both in the Guild, and outside
of it, and who has spoken with those both inside, and out of the Guild. My
hope is that these observations about how the Guild is perceived often by
non-members, or former members who have chosen not to renew their membership,
may be in some way helpful in understanding the feelings and thoughts of
people who have difficulty seeing either how they have anything to offer the
Guild, or how the Guild has anything to offer them. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>I would like to see the Guild succeed. I just perceive that many of the
problems I see the Guild struggling with have been of its own
making (this is true of most all organizations, in my experience).
And I have noticed that many of the members of the Guild tend to refrain from
practices or behaviors that the Guild seems to endorse, that they perceive
would offend others or tend to alienate them, so I am aware that the Guild is
still in the process of defining itself and its mission, and its processes and
practices; a dynamic and adaptive organism, which is good.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>One of the real issues here, Ed, for me,
and others, if you really want to know, is the implied punitive nature, and
the double standard, behind retesting. Who must be retested?
Basically those who are considered "delinquent" in paying their
dues. The ones who regularly pay their dues do not have to
retest. That's the double standard. (I have to admit, in our state, they
do this with driver's licenses too. If you let your license expire (by
not paying your "renewal" fees), then you have to take the driving test again,
whether you need it or not.) To deny that there is a penalizing or punitive
aspect to this system, designed to enforce compliance, is to deny
reality. People who have their Guild dues (or their driver's license
fees) paid up do not have to retake the test (even though maybe they should,
as well). But I think that the insistence on retesting, or the revoking
of RPT status, for non-payment of dues, is an inappropriate vehicle for
encouraging compliance, and results in many other problems for the
Guild, and a lot of "otherwise valuable" experienced technicians who
leave the Guild or never renew their membership because they resent being
treated like children. It also causes both the test and RPT status
to be placed in the wrong light, as a reward or punishment (a behavior
modification device, if you will). If everyone had to retest regularly,
like airline pilots, it would be a different matter, and I don't think you
would have all the problems with people not wanting to retest or rejoin
because they felt they were being unfairly singled out or
punished.</SPAN> <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>They have already passed
the test and achieved the RPT status, and you cannot deny that the Guild makes
a big deal of that status. But then the Guild revokes the status over the
issue of dues non-payment, which is sort of like using a cannon to swat a fly,
or, if you don't accept that analogy, then it is raising the act of dues
nonpayment (for whatever reason) to the level of a crime of moral turpitude.
-You pick.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>And please do not discount or marginalize the amount of time, travel,
preparation, effort and expense it takes to either test, or retest. If it were
truly easy, I'm sure you would have many more technicians than you do flocking
to the Guild. The truth is, young technicians usually have to have a lot of
help and sponsorship in taking the tests, or few of them would succeed.
As you get older, tests and retests are just a pain, and something that
is really difficult to justify, based on all the other demands on your time.
-Especially if you see little or no need for them. The RPT "basic skills"
tests really only cover a tiny fraction of the subject matter (tuning,
regulation, minor or local repairs) that regularly confronts those in the
piano professions. Rebuilding, major repairs, refinishing, appraising,
piano moving, sales, purchasing, inspecting, assessing, bookkeeping,
financing, and many other critical aspects of the piano business are simply
not able to be addressed in this limited testing. Many of us do not spend the
bulk of our time tuning or doing minor repairs and adjustments in the home, so
the material in the test becomes less and less germane to our fields of
endeavor. One serious question that needs to be asked as the Guild becomes
more involved in different aspects of the piano world, is: how big a deal is
RPT status and what is its true place in this organization? Think of all the
Associate Members. Are they regularly pressured (I'm sorry,
encouraged) to attain RPT
status?</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>There is a also a big difference between a technician who has
seen the value of, and<EM> already</EM> passed a certain test, balking at
having to retake it; and one who simply doesn't think he needs it in the
first place. You ignore or overlook this distinction when you say
that</FONT> <FONT face=Arial size=2>less accomplished technicians look at
role models and say "why should I bother? -He doesn't," The first
technician, who HAS taken the test (and passed), can still say to the
younger tech, "you need to take it, <EM>and pass it, like I did (</EM>at least
once.)" But to require people to take the same test over and over again, for
purely punitive or compliance reasons, while letting others off the hook, is
not something I can support. I know the Guild now encourages (or has
in the past) <EM>voluntary</EM> retesting because of the new "modern"
tests. You cannot deny that not having to retest has become
essentially a form of reward for paying your dues on time, so you
have no other recourse, with those who comply. You cannot compel them
to take the new tests. You can only exert pressure. The
key operative word here I think, is <EM>voluntary</EM>, (as opposed to
being <EM>compelled</EM> to retake, in order to be recognized by the PTG).
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>3) You misunderstand what I meant by jumping through hoops. This means
something that others require you to do that is either unnecessary, or
perceived by the person made to jump through the hoops as being unnecessary.
Allow me to elaborate:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Based on what you have already said, you are no doubt aware
that there are plenty of very competent piano tuners, technicians, and
rebuilders who either have never belonged to the Guild, or who no longer
belong to the Guild, because they perceive it is unnecessary, at their
advanced stages of competency, to have to take "Basic Skills" tests, either
for the first time, or over again. I mean, really, Ed, what message is
the Guild sending when it takes this position that everyone must take their
"Basic Tests?" You submit that these are basic skills, and
indeed, imply that every technician worth his salt should have them. That's
the problem, right there. Anyone who understands "basic" psychology should
readily be able to see that no self-respecting tuner/technician who has been
in business for years and is considered competent by his clientele is
going to agree to take a test questioning whether he possesses these
"basic" skills. It's assumed that he has them. (It's different of course for
apprentices and beginners, (and technicians who don't know what they are
doing) -for whom the test was really designed.) The problem arises when
someone who has already "arrived," and their clientele and the public have
also acknowledged that they have arrived, is "questioned" by the Guild in this
way. This includes those who have already passed the the RPT test, and the
Guild has acknowledged as "qualified", but whose membership has lapsed. To
question, to require to submit to a test of "basic" skills, is to
not recognize. Really. I don't care how you reframe this, this is the way
that those advanced technicians, whose membership you are trying to solicit,
think. You may say you are simply "confirming" those skills, but this is not
how those technicians see it. And if, for some reason unrelated to competence,
(say nervousness, or an unfamiliarity with the test process or requirements)
they do not pass the test, does this really say anything about their
competency or their skills, or simply that for some reason they could not
comply with your requirements in the prescribed time? You see, it's really not
so simple after all.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Until you try to understand the position of those you are trying
to recruit into the Guild, or back into the Guild (whose skills and gifts
you do need, by the way) and stop trying to convince them of the Guild's
"irresistible" logic and position, I don't think you are going to get the
results you desire. I humbly submit that you need to acknowledge
that many of these sincere, and competent, and knowledgeable, and
experienced technicians do have legitimate (to them) reasons for not
wanting to become involved with either testing, retesting, or the Guild.
Most of them, in my experience, have little or no animosity towards the Guild,
and wish the Guild no harm. Many of them, indeed, would like to become
involved in the cameraderie of an organization like the PTG: Being a
piano technician can be pretty lonely at times. But what they perceive as
the politics of, or the punitive and controlling aspects of the organization
often scares them off. As long as you discount or marginalize their
reasons, and simply focus on your own reasons that they should test or
join, and ignore their legitimate objections or concerns, you will be
alienating people you really don't want to. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Sometimes simply acknowledging that someone else "has a good point", or
that something is "a genuine problem" can go a long ways in winning them over.
-If that's what you want to do. (Ever read Dale Carnegie? ;-).
)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>I hope you don't mind if I pose some hard questions for a moment, ones
you may not have considered.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Recently a sincere individual on this listserve wrote me that he felt
that becoming an "active RPT" and belonging to the PTG would be to my
advantage in the marketplace as "we make further enroads marketing the
RPT." I don't think he understood how this might be offensive to
some people, especially to those who, for whatever reason may have decided not
to belong to the Guild. He really had the best of intents, I am sure.
Proselyting is one of the areas where many organizations get into hot water,
because they do not initially understand how they are impacting
others.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>I think in <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>"</SPAN>marketing<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>"</SPAN> RPT "status" the Guild<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008> (or the individual members of the
guild)</SPAN> need to be especially careful in how they characterize
those who don't have, or no longer have this "status" - those who are not
members of, or no longer members of<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>,</SPAN> the Guild. <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>As I said, in my experience, these</SPAN> folks
are not necessarily animostic towards the Guild nor wish it harm in any
way.<SPAN class=187285002-11072008> They just want to be left
alone to do their piano business in peace.</SPAN> Why should the
Guild want to cause them harm by its "marketing" policies<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008> and practices</SPAN>? And yet <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>it</SPAN> <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>inadvertantly </SPAN>do<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>es</SPAN>. Does the fact that individuals don't
belong to the Guild or have RPT status make them "inferior?" We all
know that is downright silly. And yet that <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>is one of </SPAN>the implication<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>s</SPAN>, the meta-message<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>s</SPAN>, of "marketing RPT status".<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Question: Does the Guild
encourage those having their piano tuned to make sure and check whether the
tuner has a paid up, current RPT card? Yes? Well, and then the Guild
wonders why so many competent, established technicians don't join,
or why some of them want nothing to do with the Guild. When the Guild
behaves like this, effectively marginalizing those who don't belong to the
Guild or who don't have a paid up dues card, what recourse do those outsiders
have but to marginalize the Guild and its tests?</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=187285002-11072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=187285002-11072008>Churches, too, often inadvertantly
offend potential converts by their proselyting behavior. They certainly don't
mean to, in most cases. But offend they often do. "You need to belong
to OUR church to go to heaven." or "You need to belong to our church or
you won't get blessings." Instead of motivating people, this tends to turn
them off.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2>There has been some heated discussion on the listserves
about <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>some of </SPAN>Steinway's
recent <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>apparently
</SPAN>exclusionary <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>marketing
</SPAN>tactics, as well. <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>For a moment I
would like to make some comparisons between some things I perceive that
Steinway is currently doing, and some things I perceive the Guild
doing. Just like I have for the Guild, I have a great respect for
Steinway and it's history and, what I perceive to be its mission; and yet I
see Steinway doing some things that baffle me, that seem like they might be
counterproductive to what Steinway is trying to accomplish, at least in a
public relations sense.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008></SPAN><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Is it true that
only <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>Steinways</SPAN> rebuilt at the
Steinway Rebuilding Facility are valid? That only Steinways with 100% Genuine
Steinway Parts are really Steinways? The question has been asked whether
Steinway employees who are also Guild members can endorse these <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>marketing </SPAN>tactics with a clear conscience.
-Supposedly the Guild has different values. <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>And yet the idea of "Genuine Steinway" and
"Genuine RPT" seem uncomfortably similar.</SPAN> An organization
that <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>considers itself, at least in some
areas,</SPAN> a public benefactor needs to be careful how it throws its
weight around. Members, former members, and nonmembers alike are all subsets
of the "public."<SPAN class=187285002-11072008> Self-preservation is one
thing. But self-preservation at the expense of others is something else
entirely. Both the Guild and Steinways are members of, and dependent on, a
larger community. Alienating members of that community can only cause problems
down the line.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN class=187285002-11072008>I see one
of the problems as being that the</SPAN> Guild <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>seems to be</SPAN> sending a mixed message<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008> At the crux of the conflict<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>:</SPAN> what exactly does RPT status represent? Is
it a<SPAN class=187285002-11072008>n unselfish or
selfless</SPAN> opportunity to better serve others, without recognition
or reward other than the joy of a job well done; or is it a status symbol,
carefully controlled, that can be used to enforce collection of dues and
ultimately can <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>be used to </SPAN>admit or
deny an individual access to the piano community, <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>regardless of their competence or
qualifications</SPAN>? <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>(-or maybe
both!)</SPAN><SPAN class=187285002-11072008> I can't tell you how you
perceive this issue, but I can tell you how I, and others who have found
themselves outside the Guild and have shared their feelings with me, perceive
things. And public perceptions are important. (That's why organizations like
the Guild and Steinway have P.R.
departments.)</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT size=2><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>What about this
business of "active RPT"? (perhaps a poor choice of modifier). Does that mean
I am an "inactive RPT"? Or just no longer an RPT at all, or anything even
close? -<SPAN class=187285002-11072008>Am I no</SPAN> longer able to do
the things an RPT can, as far as piano servicing abilities? What exactly is
the Guild trying to <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>convey</SPAN> here? I
really would like to know, because I do want to know how the Guild's
"marketing" position impacts me and my business,<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008> and the businesses and livelihoods of those of my
associates who are not members of the Guild,</SPAN> just like I am trying
to become aware of how Steinway's <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>latest
</SPAN>exclusionary tactics are ultimately going to impact me and my
business. <SPAN class=187285002-11072008> Does either the Guild or
Steinway see how they may be alienating people by this exclusionary
stance?</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT size=2><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>I think it would do the
Guild well to <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>try and </SPAN>clear up the
confusion, and try and avoid the "us vs them" metaphors and implications, in
advertising, marketing, recruiting, or wherever. (That goes for Steinway as
well.) This type of competitiveness does not reflect well on the Guild, I
feel.<SPAN class=187285002-11072008> (Or Steinway). -Or win them friends. I
really perceive the Guild as a cooperative endeavor, rather than one driven by
competition. (At least it was when I first joined). Perhaps organizations
sometimes mistake competition for
self-preservation.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><FONT size=2><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Just because <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>a person </SPAN>do<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>es</SPAN> not belong to the Guild, does not
mean <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>he is an adversary,</SPAN> <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>or</SPAN> the enemy. -Or <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>is </SPAN>inferior<SPAN class=187285002-11072008> in
some way</SPAN>. <SPAN class=187285002-11072008>(Or just because someone
does not work at Steinway, or no longer works at Steinway, does
not mean they are not qualified to rebuild Steinways).
</SPAN>Unfortunately<SPAN class=187285002-11072008> </SPAN><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>this</SPAN> is often what is <SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>inadvertantly </SPAN>communicated as a result of the
process the Guild<SPAN class=187285002-11072008> (or Steinway)</SPAN> has
chosen to accomplish its mission.<SPAN class=187285002-11072008>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>My wife Karen, whom I admire very much, is fond of saying
- "Sometimes the means we have chosen to solve a problem are also what's
causing the problem."</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=639132619-10072008><SPAN
class=639132619-10072008><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Based on what I know of the Guild and its core values, I really don't
think it means to do this.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>I<SPAN
class=187285002-11072008> might very much like to join you again. But I need
to make sure that my friends and associates who are not members, and who may
ultimately choose not to join the Guild, are not marginalized,
discounted, or negatively impacted by some of the Guilds practices, especially
as pertains to marketing "RPT," and
itself.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Sincerely~</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>~Kendall Ross Bean</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=187285002-11072008></SPAN><SPAN
class=187285002-11072008>
<DIV align=left>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007>PianoFinders</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007><A
title=http://www.pianofinders.com
href="http://www.pianofinders.com/">www.pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007>e-mail: <A
title=mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com
href="mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com">kenbean@pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007><EM>Connecting Pianos and
People</EM></SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV> </SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> Ed Sutton [mailto:ed440@mindspring.com]
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 10, 2008 5:46 PM<BR><B>To:</B> College and
University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Requirements for
contributing/posting<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kendall-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1) <A
href="mailto:Pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech@ptg.org</A> was originally created
by the College and University Technicians group as a way to discuss their
issues and problems.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It became very popular and heavily used, so the
CAUTs decided to give Pianotech to the world at large, and to move their
discussions to a new list serve, CAUT. When people cross-post every thought to
both lists, it defeats the purpose of CAUT, which is to serve a dedicated
community in a concise manner.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2) As you know, piano technology is not a
regulated profession in the USA, and many people take advantage of this to
cheat the public with lousy work. PTG is based on the premise that we can
become a voluntary self-regulating profession. Our most difficult problem is
motivating less accomplished technicians to attain and demonstrate basic
skills. "Why should I when all my customers know I'm competent?" "Why
should I bother when somebody as great as So-and-So (everybody knows
he's great) doesn't bother?</FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>" </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>By demonstrating willingness to be tested
for basic competency, you motivate your younger colleagues to take competency
seriously.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3) Jumping through hoops? Do you think the exam
skills are hoop jumping? They look to me like the basic skills we use every
day to do professional work. Did your dentist jump through hoops...or perhaps
take some exams to show basic knowledge of dentistry?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope you'll join us and contribute some of your
skills and knowledge to the work of building and maintaining this wonderful
craft.</FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ed Sutton (RPT)</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=kenbean@pacbell.net href="mailto:kenbean@pacbell.net">Kendall Ross
Bean</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=caut@ptg.org
href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">'College and University Technicians'</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:18
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Requirements for
contributing/posting</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Dear Chris:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>(Sigh.) </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Must I join your club, and jump through all the hoops (RPT
requalification), and become a bona fide CAUT, (and stay away from
purely technical discussions!) in order to have anything of value to
contribute?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Or can I by this point be considered to have achieved some degree of
stature in the technical and musical communities, in spite of the
apparent absence of such prima facie endorsements? </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>(i.e. - haven't I done
enough already?)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=2>(On the CAUT info page it says that CAUT is a
"community service", and also that it is an "open list, allowing anyone to
subscribe or submit posts." Did I somehow
misunderstand?)</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Can't I just be a guest for now?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>(It's okay, if my contributions are not pleasing or
wanted I can go somewhere else... ...sniff... ;-)
)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>~Kendall Ross Bean</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=901592123-10072008>
<DIV align=left>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007>PianoFinders</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007><A
title=http://www.pianofinders.com
href="http://www.pianofinders.com/">www.pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007>e-mail: <A
title=mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com
href="mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com">kenbean@pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007><EM>Connecting Pianos and
People</EM></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007><EM></EM></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007><SPAN class=901592123-10072008><EM>"The reward for
jumping through hoops is... ...more
hoops".</EM></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV></SPAN></DIV><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>