In light of the recent resignation of Fern Henry, I see a lot of needless problems uprising. In the several years since I have been around the PTG, there has been a huge improvement in the quality of the service that the PTG provides. I watch with amazement as these leaders take the PTG to greater heights. Fern and Bill have done more for the PTG since I have been involved than probably anyone else. Bills technical abilities and being able to publish them in easy to understand way are unmatched. I personally feel, that one could learn more by joining the PTG and going through the PACE lessons than by purchasing any correspondence course on the market today. Unfortunately, one of the sad parts of life and especially leadership is the subject of criticism. Having a 'strong back' is necessary. Whether you are a the President of the United States, your city's mayor, a pastor at the local church, a den mother for a cub scout group or just a quiet citizen on your street you will eventually be subjected to criticism. Criticism is ugly and destroys the fruits that others have worked for so long to achieve. There is never a time when somebody else wouldn't do the same job differently and there is always a small group who won't help but will be the first to stand up and point out faults. When criticizing Bill Spurlock about his piano supply business, how many of his products are available elsewhere? How often has he mentioned where to get otherwise unavailable products? How often has he told people how to make these things themselves? How often has he saved you money by teaching you an easier way to do a job that you've always hated? If the piano supply houses hadn't left the door wide open for competition and if these things were readily available, Bill would have had no reason to start his own business. Bill ( and anyone else) is plenty justified in opening a door of opportunity because others won't. Ferns leadership with the PACE program has made the PTG what will set this organization apart from the others and that is training. Try going into organ repair or band instrument repair. You can't even join their respective organizations unless you're already trained or working in that field. How can you get into the field without being trained? A vicious cycle to be caught up in. There are those in the PTG who would do the same if given the chance. How often do they keep trying to change the membership categories? In the end, it's a competitive edge to ward off potential competitors by not allowing them the training that we currently enjoy. How selfish !!! The first person that I met in the PTG wouldn't let me look at a Journal or even tell me where home office was because he feared me as a competitor. Fortunately, he failed and left. Recently, Hollywood sent their message with "Mr. Hollands Opus", about the realities school music. Furthermore, every year acoustic piano sales decline, schools trim music budgets and the subject of the future of the PTG and the music industry seems to be an ever increasing topic of concern. If the music industry continues in this trend, there may very well be the day that we all have to change professions. Aren't there enough outside forces working against us already? Do we need to escalate petty disagreements, create hard feelings and destroy ourselves? Is it really worth it? If you're one of these, perhaps it's time to move on to something else...the legal profession still has a few openings. Bill and Fern, My hat goes off to you both for a job well done. If you can overlook the weaknesses of a few troublemakers, we would sure appreciate you back. Ron Shiflet, RPT Phoenix Chapter Ron_and_Lorene@Juno.com
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