<html><body> <DIV>Hi Avery,</DIV> <DIV>I actually joined a chapter, and wil lbe voted on in a couple of weeks when I go, that meets every month.  The one I should join in my state only meets every three months. ;(  bad, I think.  I'm looking forward to going to my first meeting.  I'd be suprised if this chapter doesn' thave pace classes.  It's known as a an awesome chapter. It's a littel drive, but my wife and I can make a trip ou tof it and come back the n ext day, all tax deductable. </DIV> <DIV>Marshall</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- From: Avery <avery1@houston.rr.com> Marshall, Hopefully the chapter near you has a training session (PACE classes) along with the meetings. Ours does. It's 10-12 and then the regular meeting is 1-4. Avery At 08:16 AM 2/11/2006, you wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite">Here's another question. What can one do in order to start preparing for the PTG exam even though it's premature or early?, ie. tune a zillion pianos, shape a gillion hammers, rebulid a loughhead piano to make it sound better. :)  what can an assocate do, and one like myself who is a pre associate member, I haven't been to my first meeting yet, do in order to keep RPT as the goal the prize as far as piano tuning is concerned in their mind?  Marshall <DL> <DD>----- Original Message ----- <DD>From: <A href="mailto:john@formsmapiano.com">John Formsma</A> <DD>To: <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech List'</A> <DD>Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:06 AM <DD>Subject: RE: Upgrading..... <DD>Ron, <DD>   <DD>I was just about to send what I wrote to Dean when your post hit my inbox. You have said it so well that it totally eclipsed mine so I’m not sending it now. J <DD>   <DD>Yes, yes – there must be a way to promote excellence. And, “Craftsman” and “Certified” are much more descriptive. I prefer either of those to “Registered.” <DD>   <DD>Isn’t it a problem that PTG comes up with the terms, but it’s we who have to do the educating? We don’t have much time for that. Is there a way PTG could educate the piano playing populace? I’m thinking, wow, that would be hard. The first step could be beginning at the university and piano teaching guilds, and hopefully it would filter down after a while. But before that, you would have to demonstrate that PTG people are generally more skilled. (There will always be exceptions, of course.) I don’t think you can do that as it is currently set up unless you get rid of the Associate status. Wow, big situation when you start to think about it. <DD>   <DD>BTW, How many different places are you registered to vote in Florida? <g> <DD>   <DD>John Formsma <DD> <HR> <DIV align=center></DIV> <DD>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [<A href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</A>] On Behalf Of RON MAY, RPT <DD>Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:27 PM <DD>To: Pianotech List <DD>Subject: Re: Upgrading..... <DD>   <DD>Hi People <DD>   <DD>Until the day comes that the public  becomes educated,  aware and demands expertise and professional performance or heaven forbid the government becomes involved and demands licensing such as that demanded for other  trades such as plumbers and electricians, we are just lighting a fire under and empty skillet. Now that anyone can show themselves as a member of PTG and we have come up with "Registered" members, which no one has the slightest idea about instead off craftsman ratings or some other descriptive rating there is only one motivation and that is from within.. Unfortunately not very many seem to have this motivation or pride in their work and profession. Whether we are RPTs, Certified Tuner Technicians,or craftsman, getting the message out is up to we individual technicians and most of us are busy and have become very complacent about the problem. To me Certified says a whole lot more than registered. I'm "Registered" to vote in Florida and we all know what that means but obviously some don't know how to do it. <DD>   <DD>We as PTG just continue to shoot ourselves in the foot on this issue. Something needs to be done and it needs to become a priority. <DD>   <DD>Ron May <DL> <DD>----- Original Message ----- <DD>From: <A href="mailto:avery1@houston.rr.com">Avery</A> <DD>To: <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> <DD>Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 4:37 PM <DD>Subject: Re: Upgrading..... <DD>   <DD>This subject HAS been on ptg-L. For DAYS!!!!!!!!!! Weeks? :-( <DD>Avery </DD></DL></DD></DL></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>