Karen and Kendall have been valuable members of the piano community in the SF Bay area for many years and they continue to make our profession proud. If suddenly they are taking the time and effort to reconnect with the PTG, writing letters that are well written, well thought out, and even emotional, then I think it is wise to at least listen (even if the emails are long). What I hear whenever I go to a Portland, OR PTG meeting, is frustration that more technicians don't participate. Maybe this is unique to Portland? I have a collection of Journals dating back to the 1940's, before there was one organization. In those days, the members addressed each other as "Brother Smith", etc. Today's PTG has made great strides towards upgrading the technical aspect of our profession, but it seems that, in doing so, has lost some basic humanity. Kendall is correct in writing about other members who have left the guild. For those of us who have been around for awhile, we know who they are. Fine technicians, some of the best in the country, have quit for political reasons. During the 10 years I quit, I spoke with several of them and heard their stories. Why don't we introduce into council some inclusive rulings? Like the Allied Tradesman being a voting member. I remember discussing that with Joel and Chris Rappaport at lunch many years ago. Joel said it would never happen. DianeDiane Hofstetter Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:46:54 -0400From: davidskolnik at optonline.netTo: caut at ptg.orgSubject: Re: [CAUT] Requirements for contributing - Time to chill?Dear list, Kendall & Karen -It may be time to step back, before people feel compelled to cancel their vacations, just to stay tuned to this. The thread has already split, under the same subject. - maligning and defending Pianotech- the mission of the PTG and its process- the relationship between PTG & non-PTG world- Kendall's specific history- Kendall's contribution- otherChris suggested - presumably that's all he can do - that this discussion is more appropriately had on ptg-l, with which I agree...except for a few things. First, in theory, Kendall can't participate, as a non-ex-member, though Karen, I believe could. Perhaps a waiver could be granted. Second, I'm not sure that even ptg-l is an appropriate venue, for a few reasons, but, given that less than a full week ago, Kendall simply asked a question, and in that time has managed to generate this much turmoil means either that, to misquote Chris, 'we know how dangerous he is', or else we should recognize the potential of his contribution (to the general discussion) and allow him the 'guest' status he requested. A place should be found for the on going consideration of the issues that have been raised, but if his participation on this list is to be predicated upon his active membership in PTG, I suspect someone is going to have to comb through Phil's numbers : CAUT - 377 Pianotech - 876 and begin pressing them to join as well. Maybe Phil?I'm not saying Kendall is correct in his position. I just don't think it's simple. If it were, the organization wouldn't still be wrestling with these issues after this many years. Meanwhile, he should be treated the same as anyone else on these lists...subjected to the same abuse as anyone else, criticized for his writing style and overuse of emoticons, same as anyone else.Ed's suggestions, while not particularly glamorous, are probably the most sensible way to deal with Kendall's specific issue, but I can't help thinking that for Kendall, or others with similar experiences, to overcome a history of ill-feelings to become part of the organization would be akin to, after years of casting aspersion on the skills (and more) of the average New Jersey driver, me moving there and having to display NJ plates on my car. I would be becoming the very daemon I created. Personally, I think Kendall would have the easier challenge. I'm not sure I'm ready for what comes next.Fondly -David SkolnikHastings on Hudson, NYFlame suit on back-order -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/20080712/a53a85b7/attachment.html
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