October 2020
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Calendar
November 1, 2020 – Dues invoices for 2021 go out via email.
December 14, 2020 – Committee, Task Group, Foundation, Journal and other reports for the Winter Board meeting due. Send in Word format to barbara@ptg.org.
December 26, 2020 – Bylaws Committee report due. Send in Word format to barbara@ptg.org.
December 31, 2020 – Note New Dates! Payments due for 2021 dues. Don't let your membership lapse! Drop date for unpaid 2021 dues is January 31.
January 30 & 31, 2021 - PTG Board of Directors Winter Meeting.
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New Member Dues Payment Option
Members may now choose to pay annual PTG dues in full or in installments. Members who elect to make payment installments will be required to set up automatic payments through PTG’s website (www.ptg.org) by logging in and selecting “Pay Online & Dues Renewal". An administration fee of $5.00 per month will be added to installment payments. Payments or automatic payment arrangements must be made on or before December 31. Please share this information with chapter members. Questions may be addressed to either Sandy Roady (sandy@ptg.org) or Jason Hensley (Jason@ptg.org) at the Home Office.
Chapters have two options: a) collecting chapter dues directly from members, or b) agreeing to have PTG collect the 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).
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Try Out the New Digital RPT Written Exams
This new format is easy to use, scoring is automatic and can be given anywhere you have internet access and a digital device. The 100-question, online format of the exam must be administered by an RPT. Test sponsors should contact the Home Office (kathy@ptg.org) to set up an exam and receive instructions for the examiner and examinee.
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Chapter Leaders Respond
Our thanks to the chapter presidents and vice presidents who replied to our recent request for information about taking your meetings online. Here are some takeaways from your comments.
· More than half of you said you were meeting - or have plans to meet - online. The most common software used is Zoom.
· You use these sources for technical presentations: suppliers and manufacturers, local members, RVPs, members of other chapters, Institute and other conference presenters, social media and pre-recorded video like the PTG Academy Online.
· More than half of you reported attendance for virtual meetings is equal to or higher than pre-COVID meetings. No drive time, no distance issues, and guests from other chapters were cited as advantages to offering virtual meetings. It's also easy to include non-members. There were some concerns about how to include members who were not comfortable with technology.
· Methods for publicizing meetings include emails (multiple is better), reminder texts, newsletters, and posting to chapter and region my.ptg.org communities. Several chapters reported holding joint meetings with other chapters.
· Advice shared for holding successful meetings included making sure the host is very familiar with the software, doing a test run, making sure you have good video and audio, alternating between in person and virtual meetings, and providing some social time before or after the meeting. Many people miss that interaction. As one chapter leader put it, “I do think it is one more tool to reach, gather and teach…”
To see more ideas for maximizing the quality and delivery of your online chapter meetings, visit the Chapter Resources page in the Member Area. You can also find ideas for developing and improving virtual and video presentations by subscribing to the PTG Instructor Resources community at my.ptg.org.
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PTG Zoom Account Available for Chapter Meetings
Interested in setting up a chapter meeting online? PTG can do that for you. Contact Jim Fariss (sec@ptg.org) or Barbara Cassaday (barbara@ptg.org) to set one up. Visit the Zoom Help Center to learn about using Zoom features, system requirements and more.
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Fee Change Reminders
- The application fee for a new member application increased to $149 on September 1, 2020.
- Tuning and Technical Exam fees increase to $210 each on January 1, 2021. There is no cost for the written exam.
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Discussion Suggestion from the Teacher Relations Committee
The pandemic has certainly brought about changes in the way piano technicians do business with our customers. PTG has published recommended guidelines for its members to follow when entering homes and venues to perform work on pianos; these guidelines may be viewed at www.ptg.org. The Teacher Relations Committee would like to encourage chapters to discuss and share ideas during meetings about how they make teachers and students in their area feel safe when servicing their pianos.
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Interested in Being Part of a Mentorship Program?
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Virtual Exhibit Booth
Have an opportunity to participate in a state music teacher online event? PTG developed a virtual exhibit booth for the 2020 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) conference. You are welcome to use this link for an event in your area. Contact Kathy Maxwell (kathy@ptg.org) if interested.
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RVP Contact Information
Executive Committee
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