<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content="MSHTML 5.00.2919.6307" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>This may be a radical idea, but I like the PTG just the way it is. = I think the RPT thing, like it is with the testing, etc. is great. Something to = shoot for and a great educational experience. Might be nice to have something = like that for rebuilders, etc. The PTG strikes me mostly though as one great = big educational MEGA opportunity. A couple other professional organizations = I have belonged to when in my previous career were a big ZERO compared to what = the PTG has to offer. For someone in the beginning of their piano career, the opportunities are absolutely endless. And so often I see techs at = classes at conventions with lots of experience obviously learning new things.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm largely a shy kind of guy who can be subject to an occasional = lack of confidence. I used to go to Chamber of Commerce meetings and events (in = previous career) and just kinda melt into a corner. I thought it was mostly a = good old boy network with no opportunity for me. Well, to tell the truth, I still = think that situation was/is like that. I think some of the folks that speak = ill of the PTG might feel that way also. I sometimes feel the same way at a PTG = convention. But I know it is just me. It is not PTG. There are just too many = talented folks willing to share their skills and philosophies with others to think of = the big picture as some group of uppity RPTs. PTG is great! It is so different = from my other professional-organization experiences. The PTG is so open and = working hard to spread so much fabulous information.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Every organization has personalities that are going to conflict. I = think the big picture of PTG is a willingness to share expertise. This is rare = and is fabulous. I wish some folks would worry less about the RPT/Associate = thing and keep their eyes on the big picture. PTG is just a way for all of us to = learn from one another. If one wishes to pursue the RPT thing - great - I = think it is an excellent learning experience. And if an RPT capitalizes = on the RPT experience and keeps learning, his/her income and = social/professional status in their profession will be their reward. It will show. Let's = keep our focus on inclusiveness, rather than exclusiveness though. It helps keep = the mind healthy and the world a better place.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Terry Farrell<BR>Piano Tuning & Service<BR>Tampa, Florida<BR><A = href="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com">mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com</A></DI= V> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: = 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A href="mailto:mjmccoyrpt@earthlink.net" = title=mjmccoyrpt@earthlink.net>Mike McCoy</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = href="mailto:ptg-l@ptg.org" title=ptg-l@ptg.org>ptg-l@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A = href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title=pianotech@ptg.org>Pianotech</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, May 03, 2001 = 8:42 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: One Happy = Family</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi All,</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Unfortunately we are not living = in a perfect world. The bottom line of the PTG, like most other = organizations, is funding, and our funding comes from member dues, so any attempt to = reduce the ranks or make it more difficult for people to join will be met with = silence. The current direction the PTG seems to be taking is a drive for = new members, as seen in a letter to Chapter Presidents last year I believe = it was, we were to beat the bushes trying to get non-member techs to join. I = would LOVE to think the purpose is to bring them into the fold, test them = and make sure everyone working on pianos out there meets a basic minimum of = skills, alas I suspect the new member drive was to increase funding, quantity = not quality.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We, the PTG, are now concerned with = the ratio of RPT's to Associates... when you bring new members in what else can be expected? What to do? How do we get Associates that work on Pianos to "upgrade"?, and I quote upgrade because the exams would not upgrade = everyone's skills but upgrade their status in PTG, from Associate to RPT. What = incentives can PTG offer to make RPT attractive? Make the exams easier? Hardly, = and not if I have a say in it, the exams are easy enough and fair to = someone who knows what they are doing, and that is the point, to get everyone on a = base level playing field. Many who take the exams breeze through them, = others who have been in the business 10 or even more years have a tough time, but = everyone learns something!</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Any incentives the PTG can = offer to make RPT more attractive will cost money and we're back at the beginning = again, bring in new members or raise dues. Personally I have no idea what the = budgets look like or if it would help if the PTG advertise heavily to promote = the Guild and it's members. I don't have a solution that would not cost a = ton of money.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> To those leaving the Guild or = thinking about it, please reconsider. If all the members with clever ideas and = business savvy walk away the Guild will fold for sure, we need everyone and = your ideas, think them through and write to your Regional Vice Pres to have your = and your Chapter's ideas voiced at the board meetings, you could be one of the = people making these decisions someday, just keep in mind that most every idea = costs money and we all know where it comes from.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> So there is no misunderstanding = of my post, I would like to see every Technician actively working on pianos in a = customers home or school be an RPT, the idea being we become a professional organization, dress and act like professionals and CHARGE ACCORDINGLY. = All new members with in-home,school type service intentions would be = Associates or whatever title and be on a fast track to RPT with time limits on = testing, I.E.: you have 6 months to take the written, a year or so after that = for the Technical etc. All other members, rebuilders and so on would have = their own title.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Please don't sit around and = complain, get involved in your Chapters, get on a first name basis with your = Regional VP and make your wishes known and vote! All of us that are members ARE the = PTG and we can make changes to OUR organization.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Any confusion or doubt about = the intent of my note please call or write directly! </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks! Ever Onward   = </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I'm clicking "send" now and = hope I don't regret it in the morning</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Mike McCoy RPT</DIV> <DIV>Northeast Rep, Technical Exam Sub-Committee<BR>So Central Pa = Chapter 170 & SEPA 190 PTG<BR>Langhorne, Pa<BR><A = href="mailto:mjmccoyrpt@earthlink.net">Mailto:mjmccoyrpt@earthlink.net<= /A><BR></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A href="mailto:dcampbell@sprynet.com" = title=dcampbell@sprynet.com>Denele Campbell</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = href="mailto:ptg-l@ptg.org" title=ptg-l@ptg.org>ptg-l@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, May 02, 2001 = 6:27 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: One Happy = Family</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Last time I wrote, there was a = great silence for over two months. In that message, I made the modest proposal = that Guild membership be limited to those who pass all tests. In other words, = to be a member of the Guild, you have to be an RPT. </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Along with this conversation = stopper, I suggested that an affiliate organization -- call it whatever -- = would provide all the education, testing, and other services now = supporting those called Associates.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Details would flow from this = fundamental structural definition, such as those who just rebuild, or who = teaches the associates, and who votes in chapter meetings, etc etc = etc.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This would return some value and = meaning to Guild membership and would give an unambiguous message in our = advertising -- hire a Guild member, and you get a technician who has been = tested to show minimum levels of proficiency in piano care. Otherwise, I don't = see any future for the Guild and may find myself following in Walter's -- = and many others' -- footsteps. </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Denele Campbell, RPT</DIV> <DIV>NWArk <BR></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- = </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A href="mailto:Wimblees@aol.com" title=Wimblees@aol.com>Wimblees@aol.com</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = href="mailto:ptg-l@ptg.org" title=ptg-l@ptg.org>ptg-l@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, May 02, = 2001 8:41 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: One Happy = Family</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2>In a = message dated 5/2/01 12:42:13 AM Central Daylight Time, <BR><A href="mailto:dean8gem@1stnetusa.com">dean8gem@1stnetusa.com</A> = writes: <BR><BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px" TYPE="CITE">Back to the original problem of dissension. Would = the substitution of <BR>convention classes for exams change the = dynamic?  Yes, but not because <BR>of the elimination of testing per = se; applicants would not be admitted <BR>to membership until after = the completion of the minimum standards <BR>curriculum.  In = other words, there would be only one class, one happy <BR>family. =  We could, of course, create a single class membership through <BR>examination, but is would certainly be a small one. = <BR><BR>Dean Boesen, RPT <BR><BR><BR>Dean <BR><BR>Your idea is not new. I = have been touting PTG for RPT's for over 10 years. <BR>Realizing that will = be a very hard nut to swallow for the membership, I am <BR>now trying = to convince the general membership that passing the written exam = <BR>at 50% should be the minimum requirement for membership in the PTG. We = can <BR>still have two classes of membership, but mostly for = internal use only. The <BR>general public would only know that a member of = the PTG has some basic <BR>knowledge of piano work. Every member would = have the same voting rights and <BR>be counted as a full member of the = PTG. Perhaps we could limit the <BR>executive Board to RPT's. But = being and RPT doesn't necessarily mean a <BR>member has political savvy. = The only committee where one must be an RPT <BR>would be the examinations = committee. <BR><BR>Your idea is great. Pass it along. = <BR><BR>Willem</BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></F= ONT></FONT></BODY></HTML>