<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2722" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> <DIV>When I rejoined PTG St. Louis Chapter (after a few years out due to distance from meetings), they definitely called my references and did it very professionally and courteously. So some do.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As to character references, in particular ... I've met Joe Garret, I've been in classes Joe Garret has taught, I've had face-to-face, telephone, and Internet chats with Joe Garrett, I use Joe Garrett's estimating guide, Joe Garrett has done some nice custom work for me, and I've read Joe Garrett's posts for years and years. So I can unreservedly and enthusiastically state, from personal knowledge and long experience, that Joe Garrett is, indeed, a bona fide character.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Alan Barnard</DIV> <DIV>Salem, Missouri</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=joegarrett@earthlink.net href="mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net">Joe Garrett</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> 08/18/2005 12:10:39 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: PTG app questions</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>John Delmore asked: "<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I got my PTG application et al in the mail yesterday, and have a couple of<BR>questions.  For professional references:  I don't have any in the piano<BR>industry-I'm just learning.  I can't imagine anyone cares what kind of<BR>chemist I am!  Same with a sponsor-do I need to find one before applying?<BR>Everything else, I think I've got."<BR> <BR>Thanks for any guidance<BR>John,</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>The Professional references are actually "personal" references, as to your character, etc.<G> In all my time in PTG, I only know of a very few such "references" that were actually checked!!! (This is a big "sore spot" in the application, IMO.</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0><FONT face=Arial size=2>As for the Sponsor, YES, you do need one. That person needs to be an RPT. Most are, only too willing to sign your application. I just wish they, (all of us RPTs), would take that "Sponsor" signature. That should obligate the "Sponsor" to Mentor the applicant. Few do, unfortunately. :-(</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>   </FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<BR>Captain, Tool Police<BR>Squares R I</FONT></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>