Titles, terminology, and such

[JIMRPT@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 4/11/1999 3:40:17 PM, you wrote:

<<I'm not really looking to start a battle, but if anyone feels they have a
good handle on reality, I'd be interested in how this all fits together>>

Brian T.

 This subject is really more suited to the PTG-L site but since you have to 
be a member to subscribe and you told us you aren't (yet:).......... and 
since so much has been made of MPT and etc., etc. .

1. PTG was formed in the late fiftys by the merger of two competing "Tuner" 
organizations.  During the first year John Travis and Erroll Crow, who were 
the Presidents of the two seperate organizations I believe, shared a year of 
co-presidency so that the first combined election would truly elect a 'PTG' 
President.

2. It was decided that PTG would allow anyone with a professional or 
avocatinal interest in pianos to join. There was quite a bit of controversy 
then as to whether or not this would dilute the PTG, etc....... (as a side 
note this controversy is still going on in some quarters within PTG and to 
some extent I think it is healthy when held within reason)

3. Some PTG members decided that they wanted to belong to a "Professional" 
organization where only qualified, full time, tuners could belong.  This 
group split off and formed the MPT. Notably most of these members kept their 
membership in PTG also.

4. PTG currently requires passage of a set of 'standardized' examinations for 
the designation of RPT to be legally used by any member. Passage of this set 
of exams, without regard to experience level, number of years as a 
tuner/technician or any other criteria, other than membership, entitles one 
to use the RPT designation.

5. Membership in the MPT requires a certain level of experience and 
employment as a full time technician, self employment is acceptable, for 
membership. There currently is no test for membership in the MPT but your 
application does go before a review panel and is accepted or rejected based 
on your provable resume as it were.

6. Differences and "how this all fits together" ??????
 I don't know that it does fit together but it doesn't have to be an 
adverserial situation either Brian.

It boils down to: 
PTG= open membership, 2 member classification, exams.
MPT= provable experience (length ?), One member classification, 
         full time work as tech, no exam.

 I trust I haven't misstated anything and that if I have someone will correct 
me...gently :-)
Jim Bryant (FL)