<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> This person would drop out of PTG, listing “former RPT” on my web site.  I’m getting old, averaging less than two pianos a day,  can’t afford it, and absolutely have grown to hate the headaches of commercial air travel, not to mention the cost of conventions.    Further thought-  many in the Guild are coming to the age they’ll be leaving because they no longer are doing pianos.  That might be something to consider as well...    Not fighting the idea, only casting a vote if one is to be set out.<o:p></o:p> Les Bartlett <o:p></o:p> <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">houston</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Sowers Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:51 AM To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">pianotech@ptg.org</st1:PersonName> Subject: Re: [pianotech] National convention as a member benifit<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> Dale, <o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> Just a small correction: Carl Lieberman (not Carl Meyer) has been promoting this idea. Its an interesting one. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> Ryan Sowers<o:p></o:p> <div> On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 5:56 AM, William Monroe <<a href="mailto:bill@a440piano.net" target="_blank">bill@a440piano.net</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p> I do like the idea as well.  As Patrick suggested, I think it would be helpful to crunch the numbers (with assistance from the home office to understand the extent of expenses, etc.) and figure out an accurate number for a dues increase.  Then, selling that dues increase to the membership is a challenge.  I think it could be met, but it would be a challenge.<o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> It is an idea with merit, but it really needs to be spelled out into a proposal, as Patrick also suggested.  I'm also in favor of the idea.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> William R. Monroe<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 7:25 AM, Al Guecia/Allied PianoCraft <<a href="mailto:alliedpianocraft@hotmail.com" target="_blank">alliedpianocraft@hotmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p> <div style='word-wrap:break-word'> Sounds like a great idea to me. You have my vote.<o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div> Al -<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">High Point</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">NC</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div> On Mar 15, 2012, at 1:17 AM, Dale Erwin wrote:<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div> Make the National convention a member benefit.   While brain storming with some fellow techs this idea came up. This is Carl Meyers idea and its brilliant!!! The Guild can put on one spectacular event. Here is how. Raise the dues $40 a year per member. Use that fund as the convention trust fund and only that. It can not be spent elsewhere via making a bylaw to protect the funds.  The cost to come to a convention is now free. There is funding for instructors and cost of all kinds. Yes, some marginal members will drop out but this is an easy sell to existing members and one the biggest incentives I can think of for new folks to join the organization in the first place.  Now go ahead. Pour cold water on it. But really, lets discuss it seriously.  Its time for some outside of the box ideas   Sincerely Dale Erwin   <o:p></o:p> <div> Dale Erwin RPT- Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S pianos Pre-hung Ronsen hammer sets/Abel parts <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sitka</st1:place></st1:City> Soundboards & Supplies <a href="http://WWW.Erwinspiano.com" target="_blank">WWW.Erwinspiano.com</a> <a href="tel:209-577-8397" target="_blank" value="+12095778397">209-577-8397</a> <tt> </tt> <tt>  </tt><o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> -- Ryan Sowers, RPT <st1:place w:st="on">Puget Sound</st1:place> Chapter <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Olympia</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">WA</st1:State></st1:place> <a href="http://www.pianova.net" target="_blank">www.pianova.net</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=1 width="100%" noshade color=gray align=center> </div> No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com">www.avg.com</a> Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4872 - Release Date: 03/15/12<o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>