Hi Mark   Thanks for the well thought out and honest reply. Comments below <div> </div> <div> </div> <div style="clear:both">Dale S. Erwin www.Erwinspiano.com 209-577-8397 209-985-0990 Ronsen hammers/prep Sitka Sound boards Belly packages </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message----- From: Mark Purney <mark.purney@mesapiano.com> To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 2:33 pm Subject: Re: [pianotech] [pianotech Irritated with the New forum system and organization <div id="AOLMsgPart_0_59ac4774-0145-4200-8d35-a7971cb1b266"> Dale, 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. 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.  Understood. But money still is the issue. The dues and convention fees should be higher.  You get what you pay for. 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. Having discussed this issue with many well known instructors recently over the years It is not just my opinion that Travel expenses, hotel and food expenses should all be paid for each instructor who gives back of there time and talents. Its a gratuity, a very meaningful thank you of appreciation for the dear sacrifice of income and time away from family.   I was not saying that an instructor should be making a paycheck but the out of pocket expenses paid is hugely appreciative. 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.  Good to hear of course.  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. 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.   Honestly, I'm not the only one who has turned down offers to teach simply because the expectation was that it was going to be  on my own nickel. There have been other times when my travel and other expenses were covered but these are at regionals. Why these smaller venues are able to do this as opposed to the national is open for speculation. Sometimes only the "headliners" if you will are reimbursed.  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.  Interesting that you say this becasue I think by in large way too many classes are offeres and the poor guy who has spent his time and money to get there is teaching to a class of 3. How does that benefit any one. I would prefer to see fewer classes scheduled overall. This will possibly save money somewhere and encourage attendance to the classes offered. I only need to use the Renner all day all stars classes as an obvious example. Its the only thing offered in one day...that's where one goes. It cover many subjects of interest to a large body of folks 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. Expenses will help a great deal   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?  Respectfully.....Yes, those are the ideas and I believe exploring them might  help.   There are a multitude of seminars and conventions held around the country every year all drawing seemingly from the same pool of instructors. I see many of the same venerable & honorable names over and over again. Very capable instructors. For all intents and purposes...they are  paid instructors and  Most... are sponsored instructors. Many of whom are asked to teach over and over again. Why becasue they make there living marketing this way & this is fine and it cost the organization Zero!    So,my concern is that the non- sponsered guy will become an extinct dinosaur. Please tell me how does that serve the membership?   Best Dale Erwin On 6/29/2011 11:53 AM, Dale Erwin wrote: <blockquote type="cite">John  Ok, I got my soap box....  SO 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>?     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 NOT 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.      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.  May I humbly submit that all Instructors routinely spend more than that prepping for classes.    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.   Just another organizational beef I'd like to air while we're at it. Perhaps change the topic header next time <div> </div> <div> </div> <div style="clear: both;">Dale S. Erwin <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" target="_blank" href="http://www.Erwinspiano.com">www.Erwinspiano.com</a> 209-577-8397 209-985-0990 Ronsen hammers/prep Sitka Sound boards Belly packages </div> </blockquote> </div>  </div>