David Renaud wrote: > > Warning: > > The following IS NOT meant to criticize Associates > in any way. I know some associates that are very > good tuners, and some that are very good technicians. > The following post is meant to address a specific problem. > In fact.... I believe serious associate members suffer > because of a few. The suggestions addressing the > following problem would improve their stature, respect, accelerate > training, > encourage more to become RPT's, and raise standards. > > You better have your NOMEX suite on, Dave. :) My training (engineering degree) and work experience is in the high tech arena. I have been a member of two professional organizations in that time. NEVER, has anyone in either organization, put down less experienced members. In the PTG, it seems to be an accepted practice. I do understand how RPTs feel uneasy about the growth in associates vs RPT upgrades. My observation however, is that those who scream the loudest do the least to help folks like me. At one meeting, an RPT (a past PTG president) stood up and complained about the poor work done by associates. Talk about stereotypes! Fortunately, another RPT stood up and praised the work of a fellow associate. I can't understand how the first fellow could judge me or any associate without watching our work!!! There's a good side to this story. Our chapter president at the time, called me and asked me to come to his house to tune his piano. He liked the tuning and now refers clients to me. Your idea about a RPT sponser? Good luck! Our chapter (Wash DC) tried it and it died overnight. Don't get me wrong, if you can get RPTs to put in the time, it's a great idea. But most folks feel they work too much as it is. Meeting attendance? Bad idea. I didn't attend meetings for a long time because at every meeting an argument would break out...I don't need that! Our chapter now has the technical first, then the business meeting, so I go more often. Unfortunately the meetings location has moved to downtown Washington DC and it's a pain to get there! Here is my observation of the situation: 1. Training is difficult to get. There are not as many schools of piano tech as there once was. So, many learn the basics from Randy Potter. Few go to full-time school. 2. Middle-agers like me, cannot afford to quit jobs to go to full-time piano schools. Unlike high-tech jobs, we can't expect to earn decent money from the get-go. It takes too long to make good money in this field, so we keep our jobs and start part-time. This creates a longer learning curve, which is the real root of the problem. 3. You cannot exclude associates-to-be from the organization. It's my understanding that this is what got the PTG in trouble in the 80's. So the associates are here to stay. How to get more RTP upgrades: 1. Have a good associtate program. This takes commitment from both RPTs and associates. Our chapter bent some arms to get folks to take the written exam. (I passed with 94%) Unfortunately, the program died. Perhaps a hefty fee would keep associates interested. 2. Give timed mock exams to associates using acutal test conditions. That means official test fixtures and action models. Make all of these fixtures and actions models available for practice. Charge for rental if need be. 3. Find a GOOD piano for tuning practice and make it available to associates. I suggested this to my chapter but it fell on deaf ears. We meet at a music school so that it seemed do-able. Most associates have few if any good pianos available for practice. 4. Don't put down associates...encourge them. A phone call from a concerned RPT does wonders for the newcomer. These are some of my ideas. It takes hard work from everyone. Unfortunately, there's always those who find it easeir to complain than to help out. And yes, everyone's situation is different depending on where they live and how big the chapter is. I can't possibly cover all bases. If you have any questions give me a shout. For a number of years I was a technical training course developer for MCI ( the long distance telephone co.), so I certainly understand the problems involved in RPT upgrading. -- Frank Cahill Associate Member, Piano Technicians Guild Northern Va
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