January 2024 PTG Member E-news

January 2024

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2024!

The Home Office has had a cold and snowy start to 2024. Our apologies if you’ve had trouble reaching us. You can always leave us a message at 913-432-9975 or email [email protected] and we’ll get right back to you whether we are in the office or working from home.

Greetings to Our New Members

If you're reading a PTG member e-newsletter for the first time, welcome! If you need anything, please get in touch with your chapter president, Regional Vice President, or the PTG Home Office. Be sure to check out some of the great benefits of PTG membership. To all members, check out the list of new members in each month's Journal and see who's new in your area.

You Are Important to Us – Renew Your Membership Today

If you haven’t paid your 2024 PTG membership dues, you will be dropped from the membership roll on January 31. Invoices were sent to your email and are available for online payment through your PTG Member Portal.

Log into www.ptg.org and click on PTG Members > My Portal.
Paying online is quick and easy. When an invoice is ready to be paid, a small red number “1” will appear on the bell image in the upper right corner. Click on the bell and a link to your invoice will appear.

Please note: Chapter dues must be paid in full but if you’d like to set up monthly installment payments for the PTG portion, please contact the HO. If you were on a monthly plan in 2023, those arrangements have automatically continued in 2024 as long as a valid credit/debit card has been saved to your account. Questions? Reach out to us at 913-432-9975 or [email protected].

Winter Board Meeting

The next meeting of the PTG Board of Directors is scheduled for January 30 - February 1 in Kansas City. Minutes will be available online as quickly as possible after the meeting. You can view the agenda here. Late submissions and updates can also be found in Forms and Documents at www.ptg.org under Board>2024.

Nominations for Board of Directors Positions Due February 1

The PTG Nominating Committee is charged with preparing a list of candidates for the executive offices (president, vice president and secretary-treasurer) and for regional vice presidents. We need your help in identifying potential candidates for these offices. If you know someone who has the leadership potential, commitment to the PTG, and interpersonal skills that are needed for success in these roles, please let us know. You are welcome to submit your own name as well as that of another member. (Note that in accordance with PTG bylaws, candidates must be RPTs). The number of members willing to serve in these roles has been declining over the past several years, and it is vital that we join together in seeking out members willing to serve to ensure the continued strength and stability of PTG. All nominations must be submitted no later than February 1.You may reach them at [email protected]. Learn more on the Nominating Committee web page. All nominations must be submitted no later than February 1.

Where Will Your Career Take You?

As a PTG member you can join the exclusive Piano Jobs community and receive e-mail notification of job openings as they go live at www.ptg.org. It’s a great way to explore new opportunities and review your current situation. Jobs vary from senior level university technicians to entry level retail operations and everything in between. Click here to go directly to the Piano Jobs community. Need to advertise a job opening? Contact Shawn Bruce at [email protected] or 913-432-9975.

Online Industry Directory Now Online

Its back! Visit portal.ptg.org/industrydirectory/find or choose Industry Directory under the Piano Info & Resources menu at www.ptg.org to search for companies, resources and contact information for manufacturers, suppliers and other providers. Search by company name, specific category, location or any combination of fields. This remains a work in progress. See something that needs to be added, removed, or updated? Please send an email to [email protected] and include all relevant information.

Thanks for Connecting on my.ptg.org!

Looking back at 2023, Pianotech, CAUT and PTG-L continue to be our most used discussion groups. From chapter libraries, regional communities, exam prep and leadership communities to committee and special interest groups, PTG members continue to share their concerns and expertise with each other. Since the launch of my.ptg.org and our discussion groups in 2010, we’ve had nearly 600,000 content contributions. There are over 450 communities now used by members to communicate, educate and network. Make a New Year’s resolution for 2024 to update your profile by adding your picture and checking your contact info. Click on your login image at my.ptg.org or www.ptg.org and choose Profile to make your changes.

Technical Exam Jigs Available

Official PTG Technical Exam Repair Jigs can now be purchased through Renner USA. These exam approved jigs can be used for administering technical exams, as technical educational tools, or as personal practice tools to prepare for the technical exam. The set includes a stringing jig, hammer jig and key jig. The jigs are designed to test required skills. Each jig is labeled with specific instructions for use in exams, educational training, and personal practice. Units are available for purchase separately or as a complete set. All jigs are manufactured by Mike Carraher, RPT. Visit the Renner USA Online Store to order.

RPT Written Exam

On January 1, 2023, a $25 fee for the RPT Written Exam became effective. This item is available for purchase in the PTG Store under the Exam Voucher category.

Steps for taking the Written Exam

If you are interested in taking the written exam, arrange for an RPT to be your sponsor. The RPT sponsor must complete a short orientation to become an Authorized Written Examiner (AWE). Send a message to [email protected] to request AWE orientation.
The RPT sponsor should contact the ETSC Written Exam Subcommittee at [email protected] to set up an exam and receive instructions for the examiner and examinee. The AWE will need the examinee name and member i.d. number. Examinees will also need to purchase a Written Exam Voucher prior to taking the exam.

2024 PTG Convention & Technical Institute

It’s not too early to start planning for our July 17-20 event at the Nugget Casino in Reno, NV. Registration fees are the same as 2023 ($569 member full pass and $444 member weekend pass). Hotel rates are $119 per night plus taxes and fees. Free airport shuttle. Check out the 2024 February Enews for a link to class descriptions, exhibitor info and a daily schedule.

What's in the January 2024 Journal?

Balance Hole Repair: The “Float” Method
Upgrading Your Business Tech in 2024
The Claire Davies Pneumatic Soundboard Press

The Piano Technicians Journal is always available 24-7 online.

R ead the January issue here.

User Help for my.ptg.org

Need help navigating my.ptg.org? Having trouble logging in to PTG websites? Have questions about posting to discussion groups or changing your email notifications? Find the answers to these and many other questions at my.ptg.org/help/userfaq. Includes videos demonstrating common functions of the my.ptg.org discussion forums along with explanations and instructions for using the different discussion group features. Answers to new questions added frequently.

Deadlines and Events

January 30 - February 1, 2024 - Winter Board of Directors Meeting, Kansas City
February 1, 2024 - Nominations for PTG Board of Directors due. Visit the Nominating Committee page at www.ptg.org to learn more. Submit nominations to [email protected].
February 22 - 24, 2024 - Southeast Regional Conference, Jacksonville, FL, www.sercptg.org
July 17 - 20, 2024 - PTG Annual Convention & Technical Institute, Reno, NV
September 20 - 22, 2024 - Midwest Regional Conference, Kansas City