PTG, to join or not to join ? reply

[pianoman]

Hi Bob,
IMHO.
In any organization or any relationships that are givers and takers.  In
the beginning we are all takers but as we mature the sprit of giving
usually overtakes the spirit of taking.  In the 80's I trained a fellow to
tune.  He was in the bicycle business and was retiring from it.  He had
been a taker all his life.  I thought I could change him.  I let him work
with me 6 months every day with me on my calls and in the shop.  I did not
charge him for training nor did he ever volunteer to pay.  He turned out to
be a fair tuner.  He never tried to upgrade to RPT.  He never helped to do
the record keeping.  In the end I was letting him do some of my work.  At
the end I felt I was competing with him for my own clients.  Finally I gave
him about 50 of my clients to part the relationship.  He was, remained and
still is a taker, not a giver.  We talk occasionally but that is all.  
	After you take, please give back.  It makes a difference not only to you
but those who have helped you along the way. Thank you  for listening.
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G.
 St. Louis, MO.
Competent Service since 1962
 Do what is right and do no harm
         Creator of  Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups 
pianoman@inlink.com        

----------
> From: Hite, Bob <bhite@dmci.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: PTG, to join or not to join ?
> Date: Thursday, September 03, 1998 9:35 PM
> 
> Pianotech List:
> 
> I am a hobbyist.  I love working on pianos.  I am working on my second
rebuild.
> Over the last two and a half years, I have utilized the services of two
> professional technicians, one an associate, the other, a RPT.  Both have
suggested
> that I join their chapter of the PTG.  No pressure, just a suggestion. 
Clearly
> the ball was left in my court,  and I am seriously considering doing so.
> 
> Now, before I commit to join yet another organization, I would like to
avail
> myself of as much information as i can.
> 
> Of course I realize that individual chapters will have their differences,
as
> personalities in the world differ.
> 
> What I would like to do here, is to articulate my thoughts and solicit
some ideas
> from knowledgeable folks at the pianotech list.
> 
> So, here we go:
> 
>     1.  I do wish to avail myself to as much knowledge and experience as
possible
> in the field of piano technology.
> And I do wish to receive the PTG Journal.  I know it is available by
subscription,
> with or without membership.
> There must be other benefits too, training siminars etc.  Please don't
tell me
> about the group insurance or discount car rental.
> 
>     2.  Currently, I doubt if I will ever upgrade to RPT.  This is only a
hobby
> for me, and I wish to keep it that way.  I don't
> particularly enjoy tuning, although I have practiced some and  using
tunelab, I
> can rough tune, and have no problem chipping up to pitch after
restringing.   This
> could possible change as I grow.
> 
>     3.  I don't feel that I have skills, knowledge, or experience to
share with
> working, professional technicians.  Not really comfortable with the
concept of
> taking and not returning, and yet, at the same time,  I quest for
knowledge.
> 
>     4.  Not interested in serving on committees, holding office, fund
raising,
> etc.
> 
>      5.  In the year or more that I have been lurking here, I have picked
up on
> some negative attitudes (stories mostly) toward associate members.  I
suspect that
> there may be some quiet discussion at the national level about the
"associate
> problem".  If there is a problem, then I certainly don't want to be a
part of it.
> (the problem that is)
> 
>     6.  I am willing to attend meetings and some activities, not sure
what they
> might be. Are there any ?
> 
>     7.  I am very happy with the professional technician - client
relationship
> established with the technician who offered to
> sponsor my associate membership.  I wouldn't want that relationship
diluted or
> changed in any way.
> 
> The technician who tunes my piano and advises on rebuilding concerns is
scheduled
> to come here next month.  At that
> time, I am going to mention these concerns to him directly.  In the mean
time, I
> would appreciate some of your thoughts
> concerning the above.
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Bob Hite