May 2025

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Convention First-Timer Discount

Have new members in your chapter? Be sure they know about this special offer. PTG members can save $300 on any 2025 registration. You must call 913-432-9975 to register at the First-Timer Rate.

Using Outreach Campaign Materials to Grow Your Chapter

Wondering why you’ve got people asking you about getting started in a piano technology career? Are you wondering how to respond? We’ve got answers. PTG is starting to see positive results from the Membership Outreach and Retention efforts. That means you might be seeing an increase in people interested in piano technology and the Piano Technicians Guild. As a chapter leader you might be wondering, “What do I do with them?”

The PTG Marketing Committee and the PTG Chapter Health Committee have teamed up to bring you a checklist to help guide you and your fellow chapter members as PTG welcomes new faces and builds relationships. View the Chapter Leaders Checklist. A big thanks to Leeana Spellman, RPT and Daniel Haubert, RPT for their help in putting this together.

Chapter and Exam Grants

Thinking about organizing a chapter recruitment or exam event in your area? PTG can help offset the cost. Download a Chapter Marketing Grant application or an Exam Grant application and learn more about applying for matching grants.

Committee Spotlight - Teacher Relations

Staffing a booth at the annual Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) convention each year is a great opportunity for PTG to provide technician referrals, career information and an invitation to visit the online Teacher Resources Area. The 2025 event in Minneapolis, MN was exceptional. Visitors were greeted by Teacher Relations Chair Russ Hildebrand, CWRVP Torger Baland, RPT Jason Cassel and Home Office staff member Kathy Maxwell as attendees stopped by for info on piano service and care, training options for becoming a piano technician, and expert advice on piano service and care. We especially want to thank Sue Doff at Schmitt Music in Bloomington, MN for the loan of a piano for our booth. Drop by the Chapter Services table at the Des Moines convention and ask for a cool souvenir from the 2025 MTNA event. Download a Teacher Resources flyer you can use with piano teachers and students.

Promote Your Chapter, State or Regional Training Event

Did you know PTG will help you promote your local event? We'll send out up to two blast emails to members and post it on our Events Calendar. All you need to do to get started is to fill out a Seminar Request Form and send it to Kathy Maxwell at kathy@ptg.org. We'll get your event approved, post it on the calendar at www.ptg.org and help you promote your event through email to other PTG members.

Scheduling an RPT Written Exam

The written exam is taken online. The RPT sponsor should contact the Written Exam Committee at writtenexam@ptg.org for exam instructions and to set up a written exam. Only the English version is available at this time. The fee for the written exam is $25. Examinees should purchase a written exam voucher from the PTG Store or by calling 913-432-9975. Select RPT Exam Voucher from the Categories list, then select Written Exam Fee. They'll receive a voucher purchase receipt via email and the order # will be proof of purchase. Exam purchase information is automatically forwarded to the Written Exam Committee. More info on all RPT exams is available at www.ptg.org/members/certification.

Looking for a Way to Impact PTG Programs, Policies and People?

Many of the services and projects accomplished each year are done with the time, talents and work of PTG members who have volunteered to serve on a PTG committee. View a committee list. New committee elections and appointments for 2025-2026 will be made this summer at the Des Moines convention. If you are interested in serving on a PTG committee or task group this coming year, contact your Regional Vice President. RVP names and contact info are listed below.

Why Volunteer to Be a Council Delegate?

As a Council Delegate, you’ll have a chance to be directly involved in PTG decision-making as you decide who will be serving on the next Board of Directors and Council-elected committees. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear from PTG leaders as they share what’s been happening in PTG over the last year and what they are working on for the next year. You'll have an opportunity to share your thoughts during the open forum and ask questions. The 2025 Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15 at the Des Moines, IA PTG Convention and Technical Institute. Talk to your chapter about being appointed as a Council Delegate. Council Delegate Forms are due July 1. Download a Council Delegate Form and ask your chapter president to fill it out and return it to barbara@ptg.org.

Key Deadlines and Dates

• May 19 | Board and Committee Reports due for the 2025 Council meeting. Download a Committee Report form. Forward to barbara@ptg.org in Word format.
• July 1 | Council Delegate Forms due. Download a Council Delegate Form.
• July 1 | Last day for best convention rate | convention.ptg.org
• July 13-14 | PTG Board of Directors Meeting
• July 15 | Council Meeting and Opening Activities
• July 16-19 | Institute Classes, Exhibit Hall, Concerts and Special Events

RVP Contact Information

Region 1 - Northeast - Will Roper, RVP nervp@ptg.org - Online Community

Region 2 - Southeast - Robin Olson, RVP servp@ptg.org - Online Community

Region 3 - South Central - Doug Snook, RVP scrvp@ptg.org - Online Community

Region 4 - Central East - Maria Pollock, RVP cervp@ptg.org - Online Community

Region 5 - Central West - Torger Baland, RVP cwrvp@ptg.org - Online Community

Region 6 - Western - Lisa Weller, RVP wrvp@ptg.org - Online Community

Region 7 - Pacific Northwest - Jim Busby, RVP pnwrvp@ptg.org - Online Community

Norman Cantrell, RPT, President, pres@ptg.org

David Stoneman, RPT, Vice President, vp@ptg.org

Ricki Klos, RPT, Secretary-Treasurer, sec@ptg.org

Executive Director, Barbara Cassaday, exec@ptg.org