[pianotech] teaching money,(was Irritated )

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Well, this brings up another discussion that is, in my opinion, long
overdue. And that is the increasing difficulty of trying to make the annual
convention appeal to technicians of every experience and skill level. Given
the current economic conditions it may become a discussion we have to have
whether we want it or not. 

 

One of the things that makes both siting and producing the annual convention
is this perceived need to be everything for everybody. But does it really
have to be this? We also produce many state and regional conferences.
Perhaps it is time-finally-to have a serious discussion about how these
conferences and conventions overlap. 

 

If we did not demand that the annual convention provide testing, elementary
tutoring and introductory instruction the size and space requirements would
be significantly reduced. State and regional conferences already offer these
services and could be encouraged to expand these. 

 

Of course, this would (might?) reduce the attendance at the annual
convention but does anyone know by how much? It would be worth the effort, I
think, to at least investigate the possibilities.

 

ddf

 

 

Delwin D Fandrich

Piano Design & Fabrication

6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA

Phone  360.515.0119 - Cell  360.388.6525

del at fandrichpiano.com  <mailto:del at fandrichpiano.com> - ddfandrich at gmail.com

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mark Purney
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:32 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] teaching money,(was Irritated )

 

Hi Dale,

I also get where you're coming from, and I'm glad you haven't taken personal
offense to my viewpoint because none was intended. I think we do agree on
some points. I would also rather pay higher dues and/or registration than to
see the quality of instruction diminish, but I'm also sensitive to the needs
of beginning technicians who may truly have trouble affording the cost of
attending. Perhaps one solution would be to enhance programs that would
provide scholarships to technicians who really need to attend but cannot. I
just don't know if people would take advantage of such a program, because
many technicians who have never been to Convention don't understand what
they are missing, while other people find it difficult to "ask for money."

To answer your question, I do teach, and I'll be shirking my Institute
duties for a couple of hours this year to co-instruct a class and help out
with another. But I probably have 1/100th the amount of teaching experience
you do, and I do know that the classes you've taught have been a huge
benefit to the PTG, so please let me take this opportunity to say "Thank
you."

I can assure you that the Board and the Institute Team are both very
concerned with this issue. Last fall, we spent a great deal of time
discussing it, and I'm personally very concerned that we continue making
this topic a priority. But it's tricky, because we need to weigh many
factors including the budget, the attendees and members, and the wants and
needs of instructors. And with the current economic downturn and gradual
decrease in attendance, it's going to take some real creativity to be able
to give more people what they want. But I'm personally committed to finding
solutions, and I think the Board and Institute members also take this very
seriously. I'm optimistic and hopeful that we will figure out creative ways
to hang on to more of our veteran instructor pool without breaking the bank.
To you and to others who have decided that a trip to Alaska is a better way
to spend your time, I'd ask you to not completely give up on instructing
yet, because if the PTG's leadership can find a way to address your needs,
it will happen. I'm going to remain hopeful and optimistic, and I'd ask you
to try and do the same.

Thanks,
Mark




On 6/30/2011 7:52 AM, Dale Erwin wrote: 


  Hey Mark
   I get where you're coming from and I value the organization. You have
made cogent and persuasive points. We don't really know each other so may I
ask , do you teach?  Perhaps our experience is vastly different. 

I think we will agree to disagree...or maybe not. I am not holding a
contrarian opinion just for the sake of it. When on the occasions I have
taught it was usually 2 period classes. The class prep prior to the
convention and trying to get everything done in the shop so as to be able to
be able to afford to do it this usually left me exhausted and often I missed
out on far more classes than the percentages you state. Being in Calif. I
often must travel a far distance to different time zones which means I
always lose time and start at a deficit so I'm always trying to catch up on
the energy level.

 

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