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List members,<br>
<br>
For the last 13 years, I have devoted large portions of my life to
serving those in the Piano Technicians Guild. During that time, I've
tried to cover every post that comes across Pianotech, CAUT or PTG-L
(as well as other duties that had me at least gleaning information
from, if not participating in, every committee list and other
lists.) My posts have become rather infrequent given the other
duties at hand but I still considered myself a participant in the
lists. I have nothing but admiration for Jack Reeves who started
the original list at BYU as well as Andy Rudoff and Ron Berry who
have devoted countless hours to keeping these things running. As it
is, these lists will continue at least through this year's
Convention in Kansas City. The new web-based forums will also be in
place. What happens after that is up to the Board of Directors that
will then be in place. I say that not at all flippantly but know
that the individuals currently in place, and any who are likely to
find it in their hearts to serve, are quite aware of everyone's
desires. I hope that by that time the obvious answers will be in
place for best serving the membership as a whole.<br>
<br>
Much input was sought from numerous individuals around the country,
both list users and those who don't. I personally talked with older
technicians, younger technicians, computer savvy ones as well as
those who prefer to avoid them as much as possible. We even held a
session during a class period at the recent WestPac 1 and I
appreciate those who took the time to come and learn about what
could be accomplished while remaining a bit surprised that some of
those who were at the Conference but didn't take time to attend that
session are criticizing on this list.<br>
<br>
Many individuals put extensive amounts of energy into developing
this program and it operates on numerous levels. The membership
database was at a point where a decision had to be made. Some parts
of our old website worked wonderfully while a few areas had
difficulties. Ron and Andy have both devoted extensive amounts of
time to maintaining what we had but how much do we have to right to
ask of individual volunteers? The approach was developed to devise a
system to utilize technology rather than continuing to overburden
both our volunteers and our staff and it seemed that we could
provide a platform that can grow over time and adapt to a more
collaborative process. After working with the new system a little,
I've found it easy to organize into threads, post files and
customize the site to some of my desires. Is it perfect? Far from it
but I knew going in that it would grow, develop and change over
time. There are many aspects to this system and most are working
wonderfully. <br>
<br>
PTG Presidents regularly lose sleep over matters concerning the
Guild members whom they serve. I almost didn't go to the Boy Scout
meeting last night, where I also serve as a leader, with so much
weighing on my mind. Admittedly, I was feeling pretty bad that so
much effort had been put into a project and the comments that were
coming through from members and even non-members were quite so
cutting of not only the effort but also individuals. When we have an
organization that is member-driven, it seems to be that it should be
based upon member-effort just as much. Obviously, I have failed
with a number of you in letting you realize how much input you have
and how highly I have regarded your opinions, input and expertise.
The only reason I took time out of my schedule to try to answer
questions recently was due to that desire to serve since I'm pretty
severely back-logged in the shop after taking time away from work
and family to attend NAMM, Mid-Year Board meeting and WestPac since
the beginning of the year.<br>
<br>
When I arrived at the Scout meeting last night, I was feeling pretty
low. During the course of the evening, I saw realization hit a young
man that he had been bullying. I also learned that one of our boys
had tried to commit suicide because of a terrible family situation.
This really put things in perspective to remind me that there are
real things happening far more important than email rants or any
petty problems of my own. I saw those boys not just pay lip service
to the tenets by which they promise to live but actually try to put
them into practice. When one of them let slip an inappropriate word,
the entire Troop did 20 push-ups. My duty and my privilege is to
serve them and to help them grow.<br>
<br>
Ironically, I see people write derisively about "those in power" or
"the powers that be." None of the positions in which I've served in
PTG have ever been about that. Personally, I was not at a good point
in my life to sacrifice the time nor was I totally willing. During
the time period I mentioned at the beginning of this message, I
started a new business, welcomed my son into the world, got through
some of the worst economic times in my life and worked on growing a
business while serving PTG and trying to keep my priorities straight
on what I needed to do in life.<br>
<br>
However, the recent lack of courtesy, respect or kindness have been
overwhelming. Some of the language used has been totally
inappropriate and I'm ashamed to see it on what is supposed to be a
professional discussion. Little <grins> and such don't make
up for cutting comments. When comments such as those that have come
across this list occur, they undermine that fabric of those to or
about whom they're directed and also reflect very poorly on those
who make them. The mob mentality that develops sometimes is a very
negative aspect. I'm supposed to have a thick "skin" in doing this
job but this time that has proven insufficient when those whom I
have respected and even thought of as friends act in such a manner.
Ironically, there are people out there who actually think I'm paid
to do this. To those who are considering, or even advocating,
boycotts, signing off and such, you can rest assured that that is
never the wish nor the desire of anyone leading PTG. My fondest hope
is that all find what they're looking for.<br>
<br>
On this first day of Lent, I'm going to try to follow the advise
that was given to Peter and forgive not seven but seventy times
seven since I'm personally experiencing thoughts that aren't
entirely kind. During this message, the usage of the word "I"
occurred much more often than I like to see in anything from my pen.
My apologies go out to anyone not involved for taking up the
bandwidth and my apologies to everyone on the list for a
non-technical post. I'm signing off of all of these lists to get my
heart in the right place regarding serving, leading and growing.<br>
<br>
My best to all,<br>
<br>
<!--WISESTAMP_SIG_76313_START--><span style="color: black;">
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Allan</span><br
style="font-family: georgia,serif;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Allan Gilreath, RPT</span><br>
Registered Piano Technician<br>
<img style="width: 199px; height: 87px;"
src="cid:part1.01060200.01010403@bellsouth.net" border="0"><br>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">President - Piano
Technicians Guild</span><br style="font-family:
georgia,serif;">
<a href="mailto:pres@ptg.org">pres@ptg.org</a><br
style="font-family: georgia,serif;">
<a href="http://www.ptg.org"><span style="font-family:
georgia,serif;">www.ptg.org</span></a><br
style="font-family: georgia,serif;">
<font size="2"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">phone
- 706 602-7667</span></font></div>
</div>
</span><!--WISESTAMP_SIG_76313_END--><br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
PK</pre>
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