<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content=Word.Document name=ProgId> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1498" name=GENERATOR> <META content="Microsoft Word 10" name=Originator><LINK href="cid:filelist.xml@01C611F7.C7624BA0" rel=File-List> <STYLE>@font-face { font-family: Bradley Hand ITC; } @font-face { font-family: Calisto MT; } @page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 68.45pt 1.0in .95in; = mso-header-margin: .5in; mso-footer-margin: .5in; mso-paper-source: 0; } P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; = mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; = mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; = mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; = mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; = mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; = mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman" } A:link { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single } SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single } A:visited { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single } SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single } P.MsoPlainText { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calisto MT"; = mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New = Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoPlainText { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calisto MT"; = mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New = Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoPlainText { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calisto MT"; = mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New = Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman" } P.MsoAutoSig { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; = mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoAutoSig { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; = mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoAutoSig { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; = mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman" } SPAN.EmailStyle18 { COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; = mso-style-type: personal-reply; mso-style-noshow: yes; = mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; = mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial } SPAN.SpellE { mso-style-name: ""; mso-spl-e: yes } SPAN.GramE { mso-style-name: ""; mso-gram-e: yes } DIV.Section1 { page: Section1 } </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY lang=EN-US style="tab-interval: .5in" vLink=purple = link=blue bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>Hi Jeanni,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>A little off the topic = you are discussing, but PTG related. My husband and two Sons applied for = associate membership to the local chapter about a year ago. My husband was a = member from 1975 to 1985, was factory trained by Yamaha for one year in 1974, and = has trained at least one member of the local chapter.  We both = encouraged our boys to join the PTG firstly because of their positions - being = responsible for and maintaining a very unique keyboard collection our community is so fortunate to have.  Secondly, as a sign of good faith and = encouragement my husband would re-join as well.  We both agree with your statement = that the PTG can be a very good resource, in the piano technology  field you = never stop learning.  My youngest son was accepted as an = associate but not so for my husband and eldest son.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000080><FONT face="Arial Narrow">When we asked why = (<EM>question put</EM></FONT><FONT face="Arial Narrow"><EM> to = the then president of the chapter</EM>), he said they had a "secret = ballot" and was not allowed to give a reason. Is this "normal" PTG procedure?  = It seems to me to contradict the PTG "mission statement."  = </FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>Could you, or anyone = else with a similar experience, shed a little light? My husband Bob has asked me not = to bother with this but.....I am curious and will hit the "send" button.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>Thank you</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>Louise = Moffatt</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>Calgary, = Alberta</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080>Canada</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow"><FONT size=2><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000080>R.Moffatt & Sons Piano<BR>2323 Lincoln Drive = S.W.<BR>Calgary, Alberta ,  Canada T3E 5G4<BR>Phone. = 403.243.0385</FONT><BR></FONT><A href="http://www.moffattpianos.com"><FONT size=3>www.moffattpianos.com</FONT></A><BR><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000080>Fax.     = 403.243.6821</FONT><BR><FONT color=#000080>email:</FONT>   </FONT><A href="mailto:moffatt5@telus.net"><FONT size=3>moffatt5@telus.net</FONT></A></DIV></FONT></FONT> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=2> </DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV></FONT> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=deanmay@pianorebuilders.com href="mailto:deanmay@pianorebuilders.com">Dean May</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech'</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, January 05, = 2006 10:58 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Message for = chapters</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV class=Section1> <P class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=SpellE><FONT face=Arial = color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">Jeanni</SPAN></FONT></SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> wrote:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">It might take a while of attending meetings = before people will respond to your needs.  The members may not jump up = and come to your rescue just because you showed up. Give them a chance to see = how serious you are about learning, to get to know you and appreciate you = as a person.  I've seen it happen time after time..... <SPAN class=GramE>after</SPAN> this "getting to know you" period, someone = may just step forward and take you under his/her wing.  PTG is a great = resource, but like anything else, it's up to you to make most of the effort to learn.  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=SpellE><FONT face=Arial = color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">Jeanni</SPAN></FONT></SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> had some = excellent things to say but I wanted to comment on this. It is always difficult = to �break in� to any kind of group, particularly one that is = exclusive and closed. Add to the mix someone inexperienced in the craft <SPAN class=GramE>who</SPAN> is suffering perceived intimidation from the = other expert <SPAN class=SpellE>attenders</SPAN> and it is especially = difficult. I had been in the business almost 20 years before I joined my = �local� chapter (80 miles local) so I was not inexperienced in the craft but I still = felt intimidated and like an outsider. Not that the others in the chapter = are snobbish, far from it. It is just the nature of things. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It would = behoove all of us involved in local chapters to take steps to minimize this = breaking in period. It has to be intentional; it won�t happen automatically. = Name badges are a very good first step. They are cheap and they work. It is hard = to develop any kind of friendly relationship when every time you see = someone you are embarrassed because you can�t remember their name. A photo = directory would also be good. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">And then = old timers have to go out of their comfort zone to make newcomers feel friendly = and welcome. This involves conversation, guys. That�s the thing we see = women doing with each other when we see their lips moving. ;-)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>There were 2 or 3 regulars = in my chapter that did this for me, and it works. = <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoAutoSig><B><FONT face="Bradley Hand ITC" color=navy = size=6><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 22pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = 'Bradley Hand ITC'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: = yes">Dean<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P> <P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy = size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy; mso-no-proof: yes">Dean = May<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: = yes">           &n= bsp; </SPAN>cell 812.239.3359<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy = size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy; mso-no-proof: = yes">PianoRebuilders.com<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>812.235.5272<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy = size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy; mso-no-proof: yes">Terre Haute = IN<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>47802<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT face="Times = New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: = 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML= >