[pianotech] Response to letter from the President

[David Andersen]

PLEASE READ THE LETTER BELOW MY RESPONSE FIRST:

To my colleague and friend, Jim Coleman:

Sorry, brother. This letter is a slap in the face to me and the membership at large. Insulting. Less than useless. WHAT HAPPENED? Tell us.
If you do not, I believe you will destroy PTG as it presently exists. You have made decisions and taken action that have all the appearance of a cover-up, which naturally leads one to speculate about the nature of the real story---and leads one to believe, especially in the face of overwhelming evidence, that somebody is lying, somebody is slandering, and somebody is using and abusing the membership in the most hypocritical and anti-ethical way possible. 

I ask you, Jim, sincerely:  what are you and the Board covering up? If you are not forthcoming and transparent, you will lose me and, I believe, many other lovely, strong men and women who will refuse to support such a moral breach. Brother, read the documents. This is nothing but a pissing contest. Demand to see the evidence, hard facts, of the moral and ethical lapses that our colleagues are accused of that are---supposedly---at the heart of this. If not, you're leading a witch hunt. How does that feel as a leader?

I believe there is no evidence, that there are no lapses, and that prominent leaders and former or shadow leaders of PTG are using bald-faced lies, innuendo, and their obviously corruptive power within this Guild to act in a way that is completely and radically opposed to the Code of Ethics and the mission of PTG. By sending this letter, and attempting to just "move on," you are complicit in this passive evil, this breach of human ethics. Shame on you. Wake up, man.
Ask yourself: is this what a hero of mine would do? Support a lie? Support censorship? Support a personal vendetta, which this so obviously is?

I am speaking to you as a man, as a human being, not as a tech, not as an instructor. PLEASE, brother: do not fall down. Do not condone evil---which is what character assassination, lying, and covering-up is. We the membership will not allow this to pass unnoticed; you have no idea of the passionate feelings and intentions this farce has catalyzed. You, Jim, are about to lead this thing into the ditch. In my humble opinion. I hope and pray that you will hear this in the spirit it's written in. I'm not angry at you; I'm deeply disappointed. I feel hurt, disrespected, abused, lied to. We've all given endless hours of volunteer time to PTG. Nobody is better or worse. Help me out here.

The way I will feel heard and seen is to read or hear an authentic, fact-filled account of how these decisions were made. Without that, I believe and fear you will see an exodus of some of the best and brightest in our Guild, and the loss of something irreplaceable: trust.

You are better than this letter, Jim. Bottom line: I don't believe it. It smells like something bad. Really and truly. You need to lead here, and tell us what happened. Courage, brother.

Sincerely,

David Andersen
Associate, Los Angeles Chapter

Dear PTG Members
From time to time situations arise that are difficult to deal with.  With over 3800 members and many other potential and former members within the specter of influence of the Piano Technicians Guild dealing with difficult issues is often complex.  Each person and group of persons represents a unique point of view, their own perspective if you will.  Trying to balance those perceptions and needs both felt and actual, behind them is no easy task.  Recently there have been issues arising surrounding the upcoming Institute in Seattle.  For the record our Bylaws charge your PTG Board of Directors with oversight of all aspects of the convention planning.  The Board, duly elected by representatives in Council, is also charged with staffing committees and task groups as well as being legally responsible both corporately and singly for the business of PTG and the ways in which those groups carry out their tasks.



Many of our committees and task groups deal with personalities and personnel decisions on a regular basis.  Confidentiality in this process is paramount for the ongoing business of the Piano Technicians Guild.  The recent controversy centered around such personnel matters and unfortunately made its way into the public arena via the internet.  This situation was carefully evaluated in light of all parties involved.  The ramifications of any action to be taken or taking no action at all were carefully considered.  To that end the PTG Board convened an Emergency Conference Call which is allowable in the Bylaws and made some unanimous decisions.  First the Institute Director was removed from the Task Group.  Second the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Ward Guthrie as the new Institute Task Group Director.  Please realize these decisions were not made lightly.



Ward Guthrie is no stranger to the membership of PTG and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this job.  Ward last served as the Institute Director in Grand Rapids where a very successful convention was held.  Ward is also a member of the Pacific Northwest Region where this year's event will be held.  The Board is excited about the skills he brings to the table.



The 2012 Convention will be an exciting place to be so plan now to attend the PTG convention and Institute  in Bellevue, Washington this coming July.



Jim Coleman, Jr., President
The Piano Technicians Guild, Inc.
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