<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1458" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have been reading past posts in the = ptg-1 archives re: RPT and associates debates...who should, who shouldnt = advertise, who should be classified etc.. etc etc...If you deprive an = associate of the right to let people know they are</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>interested enough in bettering = themselves, would they still have to pay the almost 200.00 dollars a year to be a member. = Do RPTS pay dues....elminate associates dues does PTG have any income left. I = personally have all PTG info, on exams, pre-screen, back issues, almost every book = ever written, glean all post here and Piano Forum, constantly study and = practice. Ease of access to a mentor and technicals is 2-3 hours away, and somehow = conflict with my sked. I am 52 now, and have made it a life dream and = goal, to attain RPT status. I have not taking an easy road as so many have = suggested, and just hang out a shingle under the PTG umbrella. Listening to a lot of = discussion and technical hoopera some expouse is very intimidating. Maybe that is = why a fear factor shows up, and many dont take the challenge. After = reading  so many articles on tuning and technical work one is led to believe = it is rocket science, and I aint a "rocket scientist"..</FONT><FONT = face=Arial size=2>Just a few thoughts.</FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>