Merit Badges - April 2021
Author: Jahily al'Karee
Published: April 22, 2021 Tar Valon Times Blog
Welcome readers to a new series that will run each quarter, highlighting our TarValon.Net Merit Badges!
What are Merit Badges? First introduced in 2011, Merit Badges (i.e. “Merits”) are a way to acknowledge the time and effort that our members put into the Community. The program has expanded over the years, and we have Merits for a variety of categories. From time spent as an active Member, volunteering at an official event, mentoring Junior Members, taking or teaching classes, or serving in a staff position. These are just a few of our Merit Badge categories. Merits are listed in each member’s profile in the Library, and some of them will earn you “perks” like discounts for Official Events.
Here are the Merit Badges awarded this quarter with a little explanation of what they are for:
Membership Merit
This Merit is awarded for “time served” as a community member. Members earn a Gold Merit for every five years of membership, and a Silver Merit for 2.5 years. (Spoiler alert, we will start seeing members earn their fourth Gold Merit this year!)
Staff Merit
Many of our staff positions qualify for the Staff Merit, which again is awarded for a certain amount of time served. These are cumulative across departments, not just time spent in one position. Five years earns a Gold Merit, while 2.5 years earns a Silver Merit.
Reporter Merit
These Merits are earned by submitting content to the Tar Valon Times. A Silver Merit is earned after publishing 20 pieces, while a Gold Merit is earned for 50 pieces.
Events Leadership Merits
Our official and local events are planned many months up to a year in advance. We have a series of Merits to recognize the people who serve in leadership positions, in appreciation for their time spent planning and coordinating everything from host sites, to accommodations, to food and activities.
Events Attendance Merits
These Merits are awarded for event attendance, with a Silver Merit awarded after 10 and a Gold Merit after 20. A Gold Merit for Event Attendance added to a series of other Gold Merits can earn a member discounts toward future events.
Keeper Award Merit
Keeper Awards are awarded annually by our Keeper of the Chronicles, in recognition for outstanding service during the year. Keeper Awards are awarded in both Admin and Staff categories, and are shown as a Gold Merit on the member’s Library profile.
You can see the list of the April 2021 Merit awardees here. Thanks to everyone for your membership and service to the TarValon.Net community!
