Executive Outlook

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Over the years, the Piano Technicians Guild has come to mean many things to our membership.

1.  Our mission statement states: Our mission is to promote the industry’s highest possible standards by

• Providing members with every opportunity for professional development
• Recognizing and promoting technical competence through examinations
• Advancing the interests of each of our members

2.  Strategic Initiative 1 from our long-range plan (LRP) states: Professional Development: Develop and implement well-curated, relevant, high quality education and certification programs that advance the skills of our members, and ultimately the quality of service for the world’s pianos.

3.  One more thing: In a subheading from the LRP, Tactic 1.1.3, Develop Phased Curriculum, Action 1.1.3.3, CEUs: Study the possibility of adding “Continuing Education Credits” (CEUs) for all programs. As I said in a previous president’s message, “RPT is a benchmark, not a destination.” In the near future, I would like to see PTG follow the model used by many professional organizations in requiring our members to amass a certain number of CEUs every two years. The net result of instituting this change would increase attendance at all levels for chapter meetings, one-day seminars, regional conventions and our annual convention. This would raise the bar and bring us into alignment with both our mission statement and what we’ve already agreed to do within our code of ethics. See number four below.

4.  Item #7 on the back of your membership card states: I will strive to upgrade my professional skills and I will encourage and help others to do the same.

5.  Our Institute incorporates a three-tiered system. There are classes for everyone (E), intermediate level (I) and advanced (A). PTG has always been about education.

6.  One more thing: Our certification process has evolved over time. It is consistent and fair. We now have the capability to provide our written exam online.

7.  One more thing: PTG has always been a social experience. The pandemic has brought many things into focus for me that I truly miss:

• Seeing old friends, making new ones, shaking hands, and exchanging hugs
• Seeking answers in the hallways
• Taking home the new tip that made it worth the trip
• Showing camaraderie during the call and response to our “List of States” at our opening ceremony
• Hearing our barbershop chorus, just to name a few

I would proffer one more thing: The diversity of PTG is who we are, and this represents our greatest strength. By no means does that define us as a rudderless ship.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at pres@ptg.org.

Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!
Be Safe and Be Well!

Paul Adams, RPT

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

We are all doing our level best to ensure that another year does not go by without a PTG annual convention. While composing this message in January for the March issue of the Journal, it is too early to know exactly how we are going to proceed. Much is still up in the air due to the pandemic. I do know one thing: 2021 will include a major educational event for our members in one form or another.
 
An in-person event in Orlando, Florida at the beginning of August would be the preferred way to go. Having said that, several months ago your executive committee began discussing the need for a plan B or C in the form of a virtual event. I advised our Institute Director to begin preparations for such an eventuality. Many of us have become increasingly familiar with virtual gatherings among family and friends. Producing a virtual convention is significantly more complicated.
 
In recent years several companies have cropped up to provide help in running a virtual event. In early January your institute team, along with Home Office staff and some members of the board, began auditioning some of these platforms. They varied in capabilities, training, and cost. Virtual conference platforms can simulate most but not all of what our annual convention normally provides. This would be our plan B.
 
Plan C would be a hybrid event. It would contain a combination of an in-person event along with live-streaming of at least one of the classrooms.
 
The state of the pandemic and the rollout of vaccines will shape our course of action. I hope to see all of you at our next annual convention. One thing is certain: In these uncharted waters, it will be unconventional.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at pres@ptg.org.

Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!
Be Safe and Be Well!

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

While our website doesn’t deal in virtual reality, it does provide many virtual classes that provide a true learning experience equivalent to the actual reality of an in-person event. It is important to note that a portion of our website is dedicated to online learning. It can be found on the homepage of our social media platform at the following URL: my.ptg.org/home. Make sure that you log in first as a member, then look on the right side of the page for the “Member’s Corner.” The third item in the list is entitled “PTG Academy Online.” The PTG Academy folder currently contains 19 individual class topics. They run the gamut from tuning to repairs, regulation, voicing, and business management, to name a few. However, 19 is a deceptively small number because many of the classes offered are divided into multiple segments.

For example, “Your Money Or Your Life” has seven segments. “Business 101” has 12. “Piano Technician’s Playground” has 14, and “Quick Tips – 6 Pack of Technicals” has 25. Altogether, the 19 offerings include 73 segments. If you invested your time to review and study all of these, it would be equivalent to attending more than two annual conventions. You should know that we plan on investing more of your member dollars to increase the number of these virtual classes.

Here is the really good news! All of the information contained in the PTG Academy Online is included in your annual dues at no additional charge. It is a member benefit!

Furthermore, we are planning to include some virtual classes at our next annual convention. This will be our very first hybrid event.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at pres@ptg.org.

Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!
Be Safe and Be Well!

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

I don’t know about you, but if I had the option, I’d like to mark the year 2020 “Return to sender.” As we begin 2021, there is a new hope that with the advent of vaccines and therapeutics on the horizon, the COVID-19 pandemic will come to an end. However, it would be prudent to plan ahead as we wait.
   While we continue to organize an in-person annual convention in Orlando this year, there is a contingency plan in place, if required. Plan A was our 2020 convention, plan B is our 2021 convention, and the new plan C is a “Virtual Institute.” Many organizations have already gone this route. Let’s hope we don’t have to. However, this important member benefit cannot disappear for a second year in a row. We are contacting all of our instructors to assist in making this possible. We will provide guidance and resources as needed in this regard.
   Many chapters have adopted the use of online technology to hold their meetings virtually. This includes chapter technical presentations. An important member benefit would be to have a place to go to find out where, when, and on what topics these meetings are occurring. To that end, there is a new feature/repository on our home page that will answer those questions. From ptg.org, click on the heading “PTG Members” and then on “Events.” On the left side you will see the usual list of upcoming
in-person events. On the right side, there is a red button entitled “Online Education Calendar.” This takes you to our new calendar for PTG-member classes, seminars, and meetings. Although currently sparsely populated, as awareness of this feature increases, many events will be listed. To add an event to the calendar, simply click on the red button entitled “Submit your own event.” This brings you to a form that will provide the Home Office with all the details needed to post your event to this new calendar.
   In order to ensure a level of quality worth sharing with the membership, the event sponsor must be a chapter president or RVP. Events must be free to all PTG members to be added to this calendar. Please check with your presenters to make sure that they are open to inviting all PTG members to your event. And finally, please be sure to include information on how to access or attend your event, as all fields on the form are required fields.
   PTG currently owns four Zoom accounts. Therefore, we can facilitate up to four meetings per day. Please contact the Home Office to set one up for your event. Chapters can purchase their own Zoom account for a current annual fee of $149.90. Chapter members could easily share this expense, given savings on gas not used to attend in-person meetings. This works out to a chapter expense of just $12.50 a month and permits up to 100 participants for meetings of any length, plus one gigabyte of cloud recording storage.
   The mention of Zoom above does not constitute an endorsement — it just happens to be the platform we are using. There are many online meeting software offerings currently available. Here is a short list: Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Skype for Business, Vonage Meeting, Polycom, Blue Jean, Global Meet, Cisco WebEx, and many more. Check them out and compare costs and services.
   The pandemic has had all of us in a valley for most of 2020. Let’s remember that when you’re in a valley, there is only one way to go, and that’s up. Here’s wishing all of us a happier and healthier new year! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at pres@ptg.org.

Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!
Be Safe and Be Well!

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

We are all doing our level best to ensure that another year does not go by without a PTG annual convention. While composing this message in January for the March issue of the Journal, it is too early to know exactly how we are going to proceed. Much is still up in the air due to the pandemic. I do know one thing: 2021 will include a major educational event for our members in one form or another.
 
An in-person event in Orlando, Florida at the beginning of August would be the preferred way to go. Having said that, several months ago your executive committee began discussing the need for a plan B or C in the form of a virtual event. I advised our Institute Director to begin preparations for such an eventuality. Many of us have become increasingly familiar with virtual gatherings among family and friends. Producing a virtual convention is significantly more complicated.
 
In recent years several companies have cropped up to provide help in running a virtual event. In early January your institute team, along with Home Office staff and some members of the board, began auditioning some of these platforms. They varied in capabilities, training, and cost. Virtual conference platforms can simulate most but not all of what our annual convention normally provides. This would be our plan B.
 
Plan C would be a hybrid event. It would contain a combination of an in-person event along with live-streaming of at least one of the classrooms.
 
The state of the pandemic and the rollout of vaccines will shape our course of action. I hope to see all of you at our next annual convention. One thing is certain: In these uncharted waters, it will be unconventional.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at pres@ptg.org.

Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!
Be Safe and Be Well!

PTG in a Covid-19 Year

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

As we enter this year’s holiday season, I am quite certain that many of us share the following thought: “I wish I could give 2020 back.” Shortly after last winter’s board meeting, the pandemic hit and all our lives changed. I sincerely hope that very few if any of our members had their health severely impacted by Covid-19. I do know that many of you have been struggling financially because of the pandemic. In recognition of this fact, your directors, in conjunction with the incremental dues task group I appointed, have instituted a new organizational policy. We hope this will prove to be helpful for those who need it.

Members may now choose to pay annual PTG dues in full or in installments, utilizing the PTG Automatic Debit Plan. Furthermore, at our three-day summer board meeting on Zoom, we eliminated an increase in dues for 2021. Members who elect to make their payments in installments will be required to set up automatic payments through PTG’s website (ptg.org). You will log in and select “Pay Online & Dues Renewal.” An administrative fee of $5.00 per month will be added to the installment payments. There are no pre-payment penalties if you choose to pay off the balance at any point throughout the year. And, of course, you have always had the option to use a credit card and pay it off however you choose.

Payments or automatic payment arrangements must be made on or before December 31. Dues have always been due at the end of the calendar year. If payment or payment arrangements have not been made by December 31, your dues will be considered delinquent on January 1 of the new year. Because of the availability of the new payment plan for all members, the grace period for non-payment has been reduced to 30 days. Regrettably, you will be dropped from the membership rolls on February 1 for non-payment. Please note that your board of directors has given the Home Office some flexibility in this regard when circumstances are beyond the control of the member.

Chapters have two options: (a) collecting chapter dues directly from members, or (b) agreeing to have PTG collect chapter dues with the understanding that distribution to the chapter will only take place twice a year (August distribution for January-June and February distribution for July-December). Please note, option (b) is not available for new members in their first year of membership.

Please share the above information with your fellow chapter members. Questions may be addressed to either Sandy Roady (sandy@ptg.org) or Jason Hensley (jason@ptg.org) at the Home Office.

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Over the history of the PTG, your annual dues have roughly been the equivalent of 2.5 tuning fees when adjusted for inflation. A tremendous amount of good has been accomplished with this investment in our organization. Please do not consider these dues to be an expense, even though it is a tax-deductible item for your business. All of our careers have been advanced exponentially, provided we participated in what PTG has offered. The education provided in our classes, the sharing of knowledge gained from online forums and videos, at chapter meetings, at all-day seminars, during regional and annual conventions, and even in the hallways at all of these events is astounding. The full list of the benefits of membership can be found on our website at tinyurl.com/ra5haw9. The willingness to share by “passing the torch” is something that in many ways is unique to PTG and needs to be celebrated. None of this would happen without a combination of your membership dollars and the generosity of all the volunteer hours that many of your fellow members willingly contribute. It is all available for the taking, and this alone is reason enough to maintain your membership.

Another investment that I would like you to consider is starting to collect chapter dues or increasing what you do collect. Without a significant investment at this level, it is difficult or impossible to present high-quality chapter technical programs or purchase training equipment, e.g., action models, etc. Home Office staff have informed me that there is a wide range of disparity among the chapters in this regard. It runs the gamut from zero to $110 per year. Approximately 25% of our chapters do not charge any dues at all. I implore all chapters to begin to make a change in this regard. One sure-fire way to maintain and add members to your chapter is to provide professional technical presentations. We have help on this topic at our website, where you will find an extremely extensive set of documents called the “Chapter Toolkit.” It would literally take you a month of Sundays to study half of what is contained here. It can be located at tinyurl.com/r653wzj. Also, I would direct your attention to the “Healthy Chapter Profile” document. This will help you evaluate where your chapter sits along the spectrum. It can be found at tinyurl.com/w4llg88.

Let’s continue to invest in our future together!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at pres@ptg.org.

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

The title of this message is not meant to take way from the importance of achieving your RPT designation and credential. It is an accomplishment that should be savored and celebrated. Having said that, please look around you at all the PTG events and chapter meetings you attend. You will see many members who have attained their RPT long ago.

Why are they still showing up? It is because they know there is always more to learn, even if it is just a new approach to a task they have been performing for years. I have always maintained that whenever you show up, “Just One Tip is Worth the Trip.” This is especially true for our annual convention. The cost of attending should never be viewed as an expense, but rather as a tax-deductible investment in your career.

I would like to implore all of our RPTs, especially those who are newly minted, to encourage other members to challenge our exams. I know there are two main reasons that most members delay the process: fear of failure and the embarrassment that may follow.

Let’s address them both. I know many of my fellow chapter members who did not pass on their first attempts. Yes, they were extremely disappointed and frustrated. However, two things followed: They discovered what they did not know and what they needed to do to pass on their next try, and secondly, all of the members were very supportive, understanding, and willing to help them succeed. No one looked down on them.

We have many forms of assistance available to all members to help achieve your RPT status. Contact your RVP with questions. Here is a list of a few items that will help:

1. Purchase the two exam source books from the PTG store.
2. Ask an RPT in your chapter to evaluate your tuning. They could utilize our pre-screening manual to assist in this pursuit, found at: tinyurl.com/tcwdgrd.
3. Attend an “Exam Prep on the Road” all-day class wherever it is offered.
4. Attend the “Piano Technicians Playground” all-day class with multiple stations on various repair techniques at convention.
5. Purchase the On Pitch book and related DVDs by Rick Baldassin, RPT.
6. Make use of the educational resources available on our website. 
7. Apply for an exam scholarship through the PTG Foundation.
8. Log into my.ptg.org to download and print the RPT certification study guides at tinyurl.com/vcdvv2u.

FYI, it has been determined that the actual cost in equipment and volunteer hours to offer our exams at the convention exceeds $4,000.00. Even if the current price of $180.00 per exam increases, they are still a bargain.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at pres@ptg.org.

Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Well, it’s a brand-new year. We all fall into familiar patterns in all aspects of our lives. While change is often perceived as loss, I maintain that an effort to pursue a different path can be very rewarding. A new challenge of any type can produce a refreshing experience. I am not referring to major New Year’s resolutions that quickly dissolve into the ether. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Experiment with an impact tuning hammer. By reducing repetitive stress and utilizing new muscle groups, you can increase your career’s longevity. You can probably borrow one from a fellow chapter member. Be sure to get some instructions on how to use this tool. I would suggest using it only for pitch raises at first.
2. Try tuning an upright piano with your left hand. This is a technique recommended by many and will also reduce repetitive stress. Keep in mind that any new technique will slow you down at first, so perhaps try it on only one section of the piano.
3. Take the Piano Life Saver exam to get certified as an installer.
4. Purchase and utilize all six PTG technical bulletins to expand your service offerings and your income. They really help educate your customers as they are geared for the piano owner.
5. Offer a discount to all your clients for any referral they supply that results in a new customer.
6. Proper business attire gives a very professional first impression, and we all know you only get one shot at this!
7. Nothing happens until something is sold. Read a book or two on sales techniques and how to close a deal.
8. Save time in the office by purchasing and utilizing a macro program that will instantly type large volumes of text with a single keystroke. This is particularly useful when you need to repeat the same information to multiple clients.
9. Practice a seldom-used repair technique that requires a seldom-used tool.
10. Treat yourself to that new tool you have considered purchasing. It will probably save you time, and therefore money. Plus, you will feel great each time you reach for it.

                                                       Let’s Try Something New This Year.

Once again, I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at pres@ptg.org.

                                                   Onward and Forward with Fervent Endeavor!

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Many of you were not present in Tucson when our new long-range plan was introduced. Following is a brief explanation/overview focusing on “seeing the forest for the trees.”

Six strategic initiatives (SIs) are in our plan. These were the result of a brainstorming session that took place during a two-day planning meeting at the home office prior to the usual winter board meeting. We developed the following list:

1. Professional Development
2. Membership Engagement & Equity
3. Building Chapters
4. Marketing & Outreach
5. Our People
6. Operational Excellence & Financial Sustainability

The plan is located in the Member Area in Forms & Documents on ptg.org. I will go into a little more detail here on strategic initiatives #1 and #2. 

• Goals: There are multiple entries for each in the plan.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): These will act as proof that we are in fact reaching the various goals. There are 12 for initiative #1 and 8 for initiative #2.
• Tactics: How do we go about reaching the goals?
• Actions: What do we need to do?
• Responsible Party (RP): Who is responsible? Many areas are yet to be determined.
• Time Frame/Date Range: This gives us a target date for completion.
• Resources Planning Summary: What will we need?
• Strategic Plan Oversight: Who can make changes and at what level?
• Goal Assignment List: What committee or task group has a specific goal?

I hope this helps bring some clarity and focus to a very extensive document. The board will be reviewing this plan on a quarterly basis.

I wish all of you happy holidays and a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

Here is one suggested approach regarding a new client:

I am sure most of us ask when the piano was last tuned and if there are any repair issues to be addressed. The next thing I like to assess is who is playing the piano, at what skill level and for how many years. Since you only get one chance to make a first impression, you should assess the vehicle you’re driving, its cleanliness, and the clothing you are wearing.

I always provide a free evaluation of the piano’s condition on my initial service call. After determining the pitch of the instrument, I often provide a PTG technical bulletin on pitch raising for the client to read while I proceed with my examination. The assessment of the piano invariably produces a list of items in need of attention. I discuss this list with the client while keeping in mind the level of the piano player and the family’s budget. Often times, small and inexpensive changes like taking up lost motion by regulating the capstans can produce significant improvement in the response of the piano for a young musician. Although many of us are capable of concert-level action regulation, the expense curve rises geometrically as the circle of refinement proceeds and is not always warranted for a particular instrument or player.

Before presenting your evaluation, you would be wise to assess if there is any emotional connection to the instrument. This will often times override whether spending the client’s money makes any economic sense. I will supply additional PTG technical bulletins on regulation or voicing etc. that are pertinent to my assessment of the piano for the client’s consideration to be performed at an additional appointment.

Finally, you need to assess your skill level regarding any needed repairs. You will often gain the client’s respect and loyalty if you bring in a substitute technician for a particular aspect of the work. I have been asked by RPTs to replace broken agraffes on a Steinway grand on more than one occasion.

Assessing your own needs can best be determined by challenging the RPT exams. The worst that will happen is that you will know what you don’t know and have yet to learn.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pres@ptg.org.

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

In my election speech, I said the following regarding the board governance model:

“I believe it’s more critical than ever to obtain ‘member buy-in’ regarding large sweeping changes to the organization. This is not to obtain permission, because all decisions now rest with the board of directors, but to provide guidance. To that end, the board will need to provide earlier notification to the members.”

Beginning with this issue of the Journal, there will be a new column inserted on an as-needed basis, entitled “Board Updates.” This will provide notice in a more timely manner of any significant information available. If a minor issue is raised that involves a small change or correction, we consider that “housekeeping” and we will not include that in this world of information overload. There may be times when there is nothing to report. Generally speaking, the board meets twice a year. In between those meetings, often times, nothing is happening.

Keep in mind that while there is a 65-day deadline for submitting a request for action (RFA) of any type, RFAs can be submitted at any time prior to that deadline. As soon as we receive them, they will be added to the next issue of the Journal in this new column.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pres@ptg.org.

Paul Adams, RPT
PTG President

During our 2019 convention in Tucson, there were numerous requests to improve communication. The following is a list of the current opportunities for communication. These can provide dialogue among our members and between members and the PTG board of directors (BOD).

• 264 forums on my.ptg.org.
• Regional forums produced by each regional vice president (RVP).
• PTG-L, our political forum available to all members, providing you opt-in.
• Council Long Range Planning, found online at tinyurl.com/y3237vbx. This is where the discussion will continue after the long-range plan was presented to Council, approved at the post-Council board meeting and posted online at ptg.org in the Member Area, Forms & Documents section.
• RVP newsletters. Hard copies are snail-mailed to each member three weeks after each BOD meeting.
• Regional vice presidents:
Chris Labarre, RPT – nervp@ptg.org
George W.R. "Bill" Davis, RPT – servp@ptg.org
Douglas Garman, RPT – scrvp@ptg.org
Michael Gutowski, RPT – cervp@ptg.org
Jim Coleman, Jr., RPT – cwrvp@ptg.org
David Stoneman, RPT – wrvp@ptg.org
David Stocker, RPT – pnwrvp@ptg.org

• Executive Committee:
Paul Adams, RPT – pres@ptg.org
Marc Poulin, RPT – vp@ptg.org
Jim Fariss, RPT – sec@ptg.org

• Other avenues of communication include: PTG E-News, Leader Letters, the Journal online, PTG Academy Online and Journal President’s Message. All of the above are posted on the PTG home page in the Member’s Corner section, on the top right-hand side of my.ptg.org.
• Our main website, ptg.org
• Facebook
• Phone
• Texting
• Facebook Messenger
• Attending meetings. All board meetings are open to all members.
• Face-to-face at events
• Surveys: Our last poll from the Presidential Task Group had only a 16% response.
• There will be a new column added to the Journal, as needed, entitled “Board Updates.” Any questions or concerns should be posted to your Regional Communities.

Since one of the top ten ways to cause the demise of any organization is to not participate, I implore all of you to do so. We have many communication avenues already in place. Direct any questions or comments to me at pres@ptg.org. I look forward to hearing from you at any time. Please remember, “Communication is a Two-Way Street.”