View source for Merit Badges

{{MM|Merit Badges}}

==Description==

One of the key items on the 2010 [[Admin Meeting]] was the topic of Merit Badges.
A [[Merit Badge Focus Group]] was set up to discuss the number and requirements for badges.

Intended as rewards for continued and dedicated service to {{TV}} the list of badges became available in February 2011. In January 2014 a second focus group was set up to review the badges and identify any areas that were currently unrecognised, or any that were too difficult to achieve. These changes were implemented in the Fall of 2016.

While a reward in itself, merit badges may also used to determine other rewards members could receive. See [[#Privileges Earned|below]] for privileges. 

Merit badges will be attainable by members of all ranks though some may only be attainable by members of certain ranks and none will be easily attainable. They will be designed to recognise the members who go above and beyond normal service, typically only the top 2-5% of people contributing in a given area will earn the badge.

==Merits Awarded==
{{Main|Total Merits Awarded (by Member)}}
{{Main|Total Merits Awarded (by Merit)}}

The first Merits were [[2011 Awards|awarded]] at [[Anniversary Party 2011]]. [[Dralyn Montsier]] and her [[Merit Minion|minions]] worked hard in the weeks running up to it compiling information and verifying emails sent. Later in the year, at [[Euro Party 2011]] and [[Dragon*Con 2011]] more merits were awarded to the members attending those events. 
Merits were then awarded in [[2012_Awards#Merits|January 2012]],  [[2013_Awards#Merits|January 2013]], [[2014_Awards#Merit_Awards|October 2014]], [[2015 Awards#Merit Awards|May 2015]] and every 3 months starting from [[2016 Awards#Merit Awards|January 2016]].

==Privileges Earned==
# Badges – Each Merit has a badge that can be shown in the member's profile and signature. Members may choose up to five Gold Merit badges which they have earned to show underneath their avatar as well.
# Official Events Discount – Members who have the Events Attendance Gold Merit plus one other Gold Merit related to Official Events plus three other Gold Merits of any type (though only one Gold Merit from the Membership Category counts), will receive a 10% discount on tickets to our [[Anniversary Party]], [[Euro Party]], [[Fall Ball]], and South Pacific events for the rest of their membership at {{TV}}.
# Extra Bond – Members who have the Senior Membership Gold Merit plus four other Gold Merits (not including the Membership Gold Merit), will have the ability to bond one person above their current limit. This means that {{Green}} {{as}} will be able to have four bondmates, {{Red}} Aes Sedai will be able to have two, and the rest of the Ajahs and all of the Gaidin will be able to have three bondmates.

For all members who have earned one or all of the privileges above, see this page: [[Privileges Earned from Merits]].

==List of Badges==
Please click on the Merit name for more information.

{| width=100% border="1"
|+'''Current Merit Badges'''
|-
! width=5% |Category
! width=5% |Name
! width=8% |Silver Requirement
! width=8% |Gold Requirement
! width=7% |Notes
! width=6% |Icon(s)
|-
!Membership
|[[Membership Merit]]
|2.5 consecutive years as a member
|5 consecutive years as a member
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Membership Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Membership Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Membership
|[[Senior Membership Merit]]
|2.5 cumulative years as a {{SM}}
|5 cumulative years as a {{SM}}
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Senior Membership Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Senior Membership Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Leadership
|[[Local Liaison Merit]]
|Be a [[Local Liaison]] 1 time
|Be a [[Local Liaison]] 3 times
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Local Liaison Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Local Liaison Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Leadership
|[[Committee Head Merit]]
|Serve as a Committee Head 2 times
|Serve as a Committee Head 3 times
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Committee Head Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Committee Head Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Leadership
|[[Camp Nurse Merit]] 
|Serve as Camp Nurse 1 time
|Serve as Camp Nurse 3 times
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Camp Nurse Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Camp Nurse Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Leadership
|[[Local Events Merit]]
|Host 3 local events
|Host 10 local events
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Local Events Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Local Events Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Leadership
|[[Extraordinary Service Merit]]
|Perform an extraordinary service for someone or the Tower at an Official Event
|n/a
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Extraordinary Service Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Participation
|[[Events Participation Merit]]
|Participate in the Amyrlin's Tournament 3 times

Participate in trivia 3 times

Participate in the costume contest 3 times

Participate in committees 3 times
|n/a
|Can earn only one per sub-category
|<center>[[image:Participation Tournament Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Participation Trivia Merit Silver 50.png]]</center>

<center>[[image:Participation Costume Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Participation Committee Merit Silver 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Participation
|[[Virtual Events Merit]]
|Coffee Talk - Host 10 online chats or virtual meetings

Movie Buff - Host 5 online movie watch events

Achievement Unlocked - Host 5 online quizzes or trivia

I Was There - Attend 20 virtual events

Epic Event - Plan an epic event. 
|
|
|<center>[[image:Virtual Events Coffee Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Virtual Events Movie Merit Silver 50.png]]</center>

<center>[[image:Virtual Events Achievement Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Virtual Events Participation Merit Silver 50.png]]</center>

<center>[[image:Virtual Events Epic Merit Silver 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Participation
|[[Tournament Winners Merit]]
|Win 2 events in the Amyrlin's tournament
|Win 5 events in the Amyrlin's tournament
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:ATParticipationSilver50.png]] [[image:ATParticipationGold50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Participation
|[[Attendance Merit]]
|Attend 10 Official Events/Conferences
|Attend 20 Official Events/Conferences
|
|<center>[[image:Events Attendance Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Events Attendance Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Events Participation
|[[Amyrlin's Champion Merit]] 
|n/a
|Win the Amyrlin's Tournament
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Amyrlins Champion Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Online Spirit
|[[Gleeman's Merit]]
|Run 2 Mafia or Assassins games
|Run 4 Mafia or Assassins games, including at least one mafia
|Can only earn once
||<center>[[image:Gleeman Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Gleeman Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Online Spirit
|[[Logo Design Merit]]
|Win the competition for the logo for an official event
|n/a
|Can earn more than once
||<center>[[image:Logo Design Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Online Spirit 
|[[Spirit Merit]] 
|Receive 2 “Spirit of _____” awards, given out for each of our official freeweeks
|n/a
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Spirit Festival Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Online Spirit 
|[[Epic Prank Merit]] 
|Perform an epic prank
|n/a
|Can earn more than once

By nomination only
|<center>[[image:Epic Prank Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Online Spirit 
|[[Members' Choice Award Merit]]
|Earn a [[Members' Choice Award]]
|n/a
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Members Choice Award 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Alchemist Merit]]
|n/a
|Earn enough silvers that do not convert to Golds
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Alchemist Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Amyrlin's Award Merit]]
|n/a
|Earn a [[Amyrlin's Award]]
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Amyrlins Award Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Keeper's Award Merit]]
|n/a
|Earn a [[Keeper's Award]]
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Keepers Award Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Group Pride Merit]] 
|n/a
|Serve one full term each as the {{Head}}/{{CC}} and {{Heart}}/{{HG}} and {{Sitter}}/{{WC}} for your {{Ajah}}/[[Companies|Company]]
|
|<center>[[image:Group Pride Merit Original 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Climbing the Ladder Merit]]  
|n/a
|Serve in a staff position, as an Administrator, and as an Executive for at least three months at each level.
|
|<center>[[image:Climbing The Ladder Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Globetrotter Merit]]
|n/a
|Attend at least three Official Events on at least two different continents
|
|<center>[[image:Globetrotter Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Wild Card
|[[Rock Star Merit]]
|n/a
|If you do something really, really off the charts epic to help someone
|By nomination only
|<center>[[image:Rock Star Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Administrative Service 
|[[Staff Merit]]
|Serve in [[Staff Positions]] for 2.5 years
|Serve in [[Staff Positions]] for 5 years
|Can earn more than once

Does not include positions eligible for the Pro Bono Merit or Reporter Merit.

|<center>[[image:Staff Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Staff Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Administrative Service 
|[[Administrator Merit]]
|Serve as an [[administrator]] for 2 years
|Serve as an [[administrator]] for 4 years
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Administrator Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Administrator Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Administrative Service 
|[[Executive Merit]]
|Serve as an [[Executive]] for 1.5 years
|Serve as an [[Executive]] for 3 years
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Executive Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Executive Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Administrative Service 
|[[Officer Merit]]
|Serve as an [[Executive Branch (Positions)|Officer]] for 1 year
|Serve as an [[Executive Branch (Positions)|Officer]] for 2 years
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Officer Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Officer Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Administrative Service
|[[Group Service Merit]]
|Be recognized by Community group leader as having provided service to the group in an unofficial capacity
|n/a
|Can earn more than once
By nomination only
|<center>[[image:Group Service Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Pro Bono
|[[Pro Bono Merit]]
|Provide legal, graphical, IT, HR, or financial expertise to the Tower free of charge for 1.5 years in an unnamed position
|Provide legal, graphical, IT, HR, or financial expertise to the Tower free of charge for 3 years in an unnamed position
|Certain positions in the Departments of Marketing and Technology qualify, along with the Legal Research Team. Admin and Exec positions qualify for merits under the Administrative Service Category.
|<center>[[image:Pro Bono HR Silver 50.png]] [[image:Pro Bono Graphical Silver 50.png]] </center>
<center>[[image:Pro Bono Legal Silver 50.png]] [[image:Pro Bono IT Silver 50.png]] </center>
<center>[[image:Pro Bono HR Gold 50.png]] [[image:Pro Bono Graphical Gold 50.png]] </center>
<center>[[image:Pro Bono Legal Gold 50.png]] [[image:Pro Bono IT Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Publishers
|[[Editing Merit]]
|Spend 1.5 years consistently editing the Library
|Spend 3 years consistently editing the Library
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Editing Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Editing Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Publishers
|[[Reporter Merit]]
|Write 20 articles for the {{TVT}}
|Write 50 articles for the {{TVT}}
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Reporter Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Reporter Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Publishers
|[[Writing Merit]]
|Write 20 articles for the [[Member Contributions|Library]]
|Write 100 articles for the [[Member Contributions|Library]]
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Writing Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Writing Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Publishers
|[[Copywriting Merit]]
|n/a
|Put in an exceptional effort in copywriting for our website
|
|<center>[[image:Copywriting Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Raising the Next Generation
|[[Mentoring Merit]] 
|[[Mentor]] 5 members who rise at least 1 rank
|[[Mentor]] 10 members who rise at least 1 rank
|
|<center>[[image:Mentoring Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Mentoring Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Raising the Next Generation
|[[Classroom Participation Merit]] 
|Participate in and complete 6 classes or discussions
|n/a
|
|<center>[[image:Classroom Participation Merit Silver 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Raising the Next Generation
|[[Teaching Merit]]
|Teach/Lead 2 classes or discussions
|Teach/Lead 5 classes or discussions
|
|<center>[[image:Teaching Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Teaching Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Raising the Next Generation
|[[Sponsorship Merit]]
|Sponsor 5 people for admittance to the Tower
|n/a
|
|<center>[[image:SponsorSilver50.png]]</center>
|}



For different reasons, it was decided that some merits do not serve the purposes they were intended for, therefore it was decided to retire them. The people who have already earned those merits, will keep them, but they will not be earned by others in the future.
{| width=100% border="1"
|+'''Retired Merit Badges'''
|-
! width=5% |Category
! width=5% |Name
! width=8% |Silver Requirement
! width=8% |Gold Requirement
! width=7% |Notes
! width=6% |Icon(s)
|-
<!-- Retired  April 21, 2021 after exec meeting --> 
!Events Leadership
|[[Committee Leadership Merit]]
|Be chosen 2 times as having demonstrated outstanding Committee Leadership
|Be chosen 5 times as having demonstrated outstanding Committee Leadership
|Can only earn once
|<center>[[image:Committee Leadership Merit Silver 50.png]] [[image:Committee Leadership Merit Gold 50.png]]</center>
|-
<!-- Retired June, 2020 after exec meetiong.  -->
!Events Participation
|[[Events Participation Merit]]
|Serve as ''Da'covale'' 3 times
|
|
|<center>[[image:Events Participation Dacovale Merit 50.png]]</center>
|-
!Online Spirit 
|[[Spirit Merit]] 
|Be chosen as a great participant for the forums or chat
|n/a
|Can earn more than once
|<center>[[image:Spirit Chat Merit 50.png]]</center>
|}


[[Category:Merit Badges| ]]