<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:14pt"><DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Kieth, I am an associate member with the Milwaukee chapter in which Mike is a RPT. I really didn't start to learn anything until I joined the Guild and Mike along  with other members in the guild are always so willing to help me in my struggles. If you can find a mentor in the Guild they can teach you a world of things. You will never be sorry that you joined the Guild. I also agree that the Randy Potter course is the best one out there. </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Ron Boyd Milwaukee chapter #532<BR><BR></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Mike Spalding <mike.spalding1@verizon.net><BR>To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><BR>Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 9:11:07 AM<BR>Subject: Re: Brand new to posting.- tuning mentor?<BR><BR> <DIV>Keith,<BR><BR>The "waiting period" you referred to is intended to allow the local <BR>chapter time to notify the home office of any reason they may have for <BR>denying your membership application.  This happens infrequently, and has <BR>to do mostly with unethical behavior or felony convictions.  It is set <BR>up such that if the chapter does nothing, you will be a member after 120 <BR>days.  During that 120 day period, once you have paid your dues, you <BR>will receive the monthly PTG Journal, and you will be eligible for <BR>member's prices on the various publications and other merchandise <BR>available through the PTG store.<BR><BR>Most chapters welcome visitors, especially those who want to join and <BR>become technicians.  You don't have to have completed the membership <BR>application process in order to begin attending meetings.<BR><BR>Assuming you want to begin enjoying the benefits of PTG membership as <BR>soon as possible, do this:<BR>1.  Submit you membership application and application fee online at ptg.org<BR>2.  Call the chapter president (contact info is at ptg.org) and tell him <BR>you are submitting a membership applicataion and would like to start <BR>attending meetings.<BR>3.  When the home office sends you your dues invoice, pay it immediately.<BR><BR>hope this helps<BR><BR>Mike<BR><BR>> Keith,<BR>> I second everything Phil said, especially the welcome.  And while you're<BR>> at the PTG site, join the organization and begin attending the meetings<BR>> of your local chapter.  You'll learn a lot just by being there, and it's<BR>> a good way to meet prospective mentors.  Skilled and experienced techs<BR>> will be much more willing to share their time and expertise with you, if<BR>> they see this evidence of your commitment.<BR>><BR>> Mike<BR>><BR>> Phil Bondi wrote:<BR>>   <BR>>> Welcome Keith.<BR>>><BR>>> Try going to the PTG website - <A href="http://www.ptg.org/" target=_blank>www.ptg.org</A> and look for technicians in<BR>>> your area. Try contacting them and see if one of them would give you a<BR>>> helping hand.<BR>>><BR>>> There's a few schools out there - a very good correspondence course,<BR>>> but nothing beats a good one-on-one.<BR>>><BR>>> Good luck.<BR>>><BR>>> -Phil Bondi(Fl)<BR>>><BR>>><BR>>>     <BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>></DIV></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"><BR></DIV></div><br> <hr size=1>Tonight's top picks. What will you watch tonight? <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/tv/mail/tagline/tonightspicks/evt=48220/*http://tv.yahoo.com/ ">Preview the hottest shows</a> on Yahoo! TV. </body></html>