[CAUT] Re Retesting(OT)

[Ed Sutton]

Thus we see why, 30 years ago, old RPTs were grandfathered in, no test 
required.

If any change happens, it will, hopefully, be done in some way as to not 
penalize old members who don't want to participate.

It might also be done in such a way that it is too interesting to ignore. 
Why do some members with 30, 40, 50 years experience continue to attend 
classes, voluntarily?

Personally, I favor the "create your own curriculum" approach. It's what the 
most motivated people are doing already.

Ed S.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Kline" <skline at peak.org>
To: <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Re Retesting(OT)


>
>>I remember the "passport to Excellence" and while it was a good idea, it 
>>had no authority to it.
>
>
> And just as well that it didn't. Techs are independent cusses, who don't 
> tolerate being forced to do something because some people in an 
> organization have decided to order them around.
>
> Before requiring ongoing education and retesting of the whole RPT-holding 
> Guild roster, one must consider how firmly attached they are to the 
> organization. Their dislike of being coerced (and of tolerating the 
> implied condescension), and the stresses on their schedule and finances 
> (which are often stretched to the breaking point already) could easily 
> find many of them dumping the organization before submitting to ongoing 
> new requirements which take time and money.
>
> Remember that a large percentage of technicians are near retirement age. 
> Their businesses are mature, and to the extent that they can be excellent 
> at their work, many of them already are. The large number of people, many 
> elderly, who attend meetings and conventions, and who like hands-on 
> classes, is only possible, IMO, because they are voluntary, and because 
> people enjoy seeing their friends and colleagues now and then. There is 
> joy in lifelong learning, but that is because of the free  exploration 
> involved. One is following a path of one's own devising, seeing where it 
> leads. Re-education and retesting sounds like a one-size-fits-all 
> situation, and among veteran piano tuners, one size probably fits almost 
> no one.
>
> Stepping away a few yards, and attempting to look at the problem 
> objectively, some people are good at doing things on their own, and some 
> are good at following directions and taking tests. The psychology of the 
> credential assumes that these two groups hold exactly the same people, but 
> is this really true? How much of the time?
>
> (Conrad's latest flamesuit carefully buttoned ...)
>
> Susan Kline
>
>
>