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Dale,<br>
<br>
This would be more appropriate to discuss on PTGL, but I have a
different take on this whole thing so I'll post a response.<br>
<br>
All instructors that are willing to help perpetuate excellence in
the continued education of our membership are valued, regardless of
whether they are sponsored by a manufacturer or not. Having worked
with members of the Board, Home Office, and Institute, I think I can
safely say that those who love the PTG are genuinely appreciative of
the talent and hard work brought forth by those who have chosen to
give so much back to the organization. It is largely a volunteer
spirit that enables us to thrive, while still charging a Convention
Registration fee that is very small compared to what is charged by
many other professional organizations. <br>
<br>
It's known by everyone that we have never, cannot currently, and
probably never will be able to show that appreciation in the form of
a monetary sum that fully offsets the hours spent preparing classes,
the costs of missed work, airfare, and hotel stays, not to mention
the value of the wisdom and expertise that our instructors have
gained through many years of piano service. It just can't be done,
can it? And yet we still have an incredible body of instructors who
submit classes they want to teach every year, despite the fact they
know it will not be rewarded with a sum of money that equals what
they put into it.<br>
<br>
As for "following the money," I was there during the hours of
meetings when the classes for this year's convention were chosen,
and I can assure you that the people responsible for selecting
classes and instructors were focused on giving the highest possible
value for those attending, and that is it. I don't recall any
instance in which a class was given higher priority over another
because of sponsorship. If that happened, I don't remember it. The
motivation of the Institute Team was to attract new members who
haven't attended before, and to give "regulars" a little extra
incentive to continue attending by offering a lot of new classes. <br>
<br>
Reimbursement is a difficult issue. The money has to come from
somewhere. In order to fully reimburse every instructor for all of
their expenses, the registration fee would have to be massive in
order to pay for it. What would our attendance be like if we doubled
or tripled the registration fee? Either that, or we'd have to select
a small handful of instructors who would teach the entire time, and
make it a paid job. But part of what makes our class offerings so
attractive every year is the diversity of instructors and variety of
experiences that comes from having so many instructors to choose
from on the schedule. It's only my opinion, but I think that if we
only had 10 or 12 instructors who taught the entire time for a
paycheck, the Institute would not be anywhere near as interesting.<br>
<br>
If anyone feels the PTG is going about things the wrong way, then
change it. We have a council of representative delegates who make
changes in policy according to the needs of the members. Take these
things to the PTGL list and be heard. But to simply say that we need
to offer a stronger reimbursement package isn't enough, unless
you've got some good ideas about where that money should come from.
Higher dues? Bigger registration fees? Fewer instructors? What is in
the best interest of the PTG membership?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 6/29/2011 11:53 AM, Dale Erwin wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:8CE04A500262940-AA4-15219@webmail-m011.sysops.aol.com"
type="cite"><font color="navy" face="Georgia, Times New Roman,
Times, Serif" size="2"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, Times
New Roman, Times, Serif">John<br>
Ok, I got my soap box....<br>
</font></font>SO <font color="navy" face="Georgia, Times
New Roman, Times, Serif" size="2">once again the weight of the
government/governing body and its concerns outweighs the real
needs of those who pay to support it? Is this the case?
hmmm>?<br>
<br>
We need the organization to add a mission statement that this
organization, PTG, is primarily an educational entity. Should
seem obvious but not if you look at what instructors are <u>NOT</u>
at the national convention this year. Back surgeries
aside,...Is it just me, but are the Non-sponsored instructors
less valued than the sponsored ones? Answer....Follow the
money.<br>
<br>
Sponsored ones cost the organization zip. Non-sponsored ones
are not reimbursed enough to even pay there expenses let alone
the time off to prepare and travel etc. Seems short sighted
planning considering many of the non-sponsored, non
marketing, ones often bring in more paying attendees. I get
the, oh but , yes, but, this is the way we give back to the
organization. My answer....But, many have been for a looong
time and at their own expense. I wonder how many registrants
would actually come sign up if they were penalized a weeks
salary, plus pay the registration fes/hotel fees to attend. <br>
<br>
May I humbly submit that all Instructors routinely spend more
than that prepping for classes.<br>
<br>
Very Seriously.....For me and others, considering the
economy, sometimes its the choice between me paying out of my
own pocket to teach others or.... taking a vacation.
hmmm...think I'm going fishing in Alaska next month. <br>
<br>
Just another organizational beef I'd like to air while we're
at it. Perhaps change the topic header next time<br>
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<div style="clear: both;"><font size="1"><b><font
color="indigo" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times,
Serif">Dale S. Erwin<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.Erwinspiano.com">www.Erwinspiano.com</a><br>
209-577-8397</font></b></font><font size="1"><b><br>
209-985-0990</b><br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"></span><span
style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"></span><b><i><span
style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"></span></i></b></font><font
color="navy" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif"
size="1"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"></span></i></font><span
style="font-style: italic;"><b><font size="1">Ronsen
hammers/prep<br>
Sitka Sound boards<br>
Belly packages<br>
</font></b></span><br>
</div>
</font></font></blockquote>
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