Well, it's not really a rank. It's an award
given by Microsoft for volunteer assistance
provided to the online community -- via
newsgroups, chat rooms, websites, etc.
And, in the last couple of years, there has been a lot more emphasis on
"offline" things, too -- user groups, book and magazine authoring, etc. One
of my colleagues was recently awarded primarily for work with several user
groups over several years. Another, originally awarded for participation in
user groups, has been re-awarded primarily for publications.
MVPs are free to give input to the Microsoft people (and that's a good
thing, because few MVPs are "shy"), but it is Microsoft who decides who to
award (and re-award).
Maybe that needs to be emphasized -- MVPs are awarded for a one-year period
based on what they have done in the past. MVPs do not have an obligation to
continue whatever earned them the designation, Microsoft can drop someone
from the program for misconduct (e.g., violation of a non-disclosure
agreement), MVPs who are hired by Microsoft cease to be MVPs upon being
hired, and Microsoft is not obligated to re-award those who have previously
qualified.
We talk about "being awarded" but "being chosen" or "being designated" is
more accurate. It is "recognition" for contribution to the user community
rather than "being rewarded".
Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP
