<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>Unbutting my nose ...</title> <style>  </style> </head> <body> I apologize to Israel, Duainne, and the list. I jumped into something without understanding the issues. It is never my desire to stir the pot or harm relationships.   This RPT/Associate issue is apparently not as settled as we'd like. Israel is a staunch defender of RPT status and all things PTG and that's a good thing. On the other hand, Associates, just by virtue of their "status" don't like to feel like second-hand citizens or that customers will see them as unqualified tuner/techs which, as we all know, is hardly the case in many, many cases--some of our Institute classes are even taught by Associates of high reputation and long standing in the organization.   If I were elected Emperor, I'd change the whole system to something like this:   Associate Member (Retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, tool houses, etc.) Member (Tuner/Technicians who have not YET passed all exams, equivalent to current "Associate" status) CTT  Certified Tuner/Technician (Yes, I like the old name better because "Registered", as a term, really just means you are on someone's list. CTT would be comparable to RPT and would CERTIFY that the Association considers the person qualified in all respects to perform tuning, repairs, voicing, and so forth, at a proven, professional level of competence.) CMT  Certified Master Tuner (Qualified at a higher level for covering concert prep and so forth, and based on further testing, experience, etc., a designation not easily achieved) CMC  Certified Master Craftsman (Rebuilders, etc. Again, a designation not easily achieved) Then you could also have something like ... CMT-E  Certified Master Tuner Examiner (A CMT trained to qualify others in the tuning arts for the CTT designation and for CMT) CMC-E Certifed Master Craftsman Examiner (A CMC trained to qualify others in the technical areas for the CTT designation and for the CMC)   Well, those have been my thoughts for some time and I just wanted to share them, for what it's worth.   In any event, though I don't know how to make everyone happy in this regard, slings and arrows certainly aren't the answer. Sorry if I made it worse. See some a y'all in KC.   Alan Barnard Salem, MO </body> </html>