Distinguished and Lifetime Service Recognition
The Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program identified a need to redefine how participants with longevity are recognized. Since late 2023, the program office has been working with statewide partners as well as a focus group representing a cross-section of master gardener participants. Working to understand the needs of participants and the best way to show appreciation for their commitment has been a large endeavor and we would like to thank all who have provided feedback and thoughtful discussion to this process.
We found that the participation level of “honored” was previously used in multiple ways for our participants and to alleviate any uncertainty, we will be creating two tracks for the future. We hope this more accurately recognizes those who have shown their passion and commitment to the program while meeting them where they are at right now in their master gardener journey.
Effective beginning in 2025:
The “Distinguished” participation level:
- This participation level will automatically be granted to an in-good-standing participant after recording 1000 hours of volunteer service showing their longevity within the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program.
- No application necessary. This participation level will function like Certified, Active and Inactive.
- Participants within this level will be required to log in to the ORS every year and to record hours yearly. Once the level is attained, a yearly entry of at least 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service must be recorded in the ORS to maintain it.
- For participants actively holding the Honored participation level, when the ORS reopens in 2025 you will automatically be moved into the Distinguished participation level. To check your current participation level, review your dashboard in the ORS.
Lifetime Service Recognition:
- Current participants who have recorded a minimum of 1,000 hours of volunteer service may apply to leave ongoing service from the program with high regards and without further technological commitments.
- Those who have achieved the Honored participation level previously will be granted application review no matter their lifetime hours recording.
- Once applications are reviewed and processed, a digital certificate will be emailed and all program accounts closed.
- This includes ORS and Canvas Classroom access
- You will no longer receive regular communications from the WEMGP, including The Vibe.
- Applications will be accepted on a yearly basis. Applications for implementation in 2025 will be accepted from October 1 – December 31, 2024.
- For how your title can be used, see below: ‘Will my title of “Master Gardener” change?’
- To nominate a participant posthumously, please contact the office via wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu to ask for a review of their records.
Or copy the following link into your browser: https://forms.gle/paG2qpvD7HHVvsE3A
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between Distinguished and Lifetime Service Recognition?
- I have the honored title now, what do I have to do?
- My association awarded me with emeritus, does that count?
- I had the honored participation level, but the ORS says I’m Inactive, am I eligible to apply?
- Can I nominate someone else?
- When can I apply?
- How long can I be distinguished?
- Can I be Distinguished and Certified at the same time?
- Is it possible to be Distinguished one year and Inactive the next?
- Can I still volunteer?
- Do I still have to do continuing education?
- Do I still have to log into the ORS?
- Will my title of “Master Gardener” change?
- If I reach 1,000 hours in the middle of the year will my participation level change?
- What happens to the Honored participation level?
- Why 1,000 hours?
- Who do I talk to if I have questions?
What’s the difference between Distinguished and Lifetime Service Recognition?
- Distinguished will be automatically granted to participants who have shown a long term commitment (minimum 1000 lifetime volunteer service hours) to the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program and who wish to continue volunteer service and continuing education with the program. This is a recognition for ongoing service to their communities. No application necessary.
- Lifetime Service Recognition is the right choice for individuals to apply for if they have completed 1000 lifetime volunteer service hours, and have a need to step away from active service. If their personal needs outweigh their ability to commit to the program requirements, this is the right choice for them.
I have the honored title now, what do I have to do?
- If you currently hold the participation level of Honored in 2024, when the ORS reopens in 2025 you will automatically be moved into the Distinguished participation level. Once the level is attained, a yearly entry of at least 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service must be recorded in the ORS to maintain it.
- If you do not record the required hours by 12/31/25 you will be moved to the Inactive participation level in 2026.
- You have the option to complete the application for Lifetime Service Recognition in 2025.
My association awarded me with emeritus, does that count?
- “Emeritus” status is a term used by third parties (associations). The program does not recognize this term and it has no bearing on your participation in the program. Please check your Online Reporting System dashboard for your current participation level. If you have issues logging into the ORS, please contact the program office at wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu
I had the honored participation level, but the ORS says I’m Inactive, am I eligible to apply?
- If you currently have over 1000 hours of service, when the ORS reopens in 2025 you will automatically be moved into the Distinguished participation level. Once you attain the participation level, a yearly entry of at least 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service must be recorded in the ORS to maintain it.
- If you do not record the required hours by 12/31/25 you will be moved to the Inactive participation level in 2026.
- You will have the option to complete the application for Lifetime Service Recognition in 2025.
Can I nominate someone else?
- No, participants must complete applications for Lifetime Service Recognition for themselves, as all accounts with the program will be closed upon being granted the recognition certificate.
- Posthumous nominations will be considered on an individual basis; contact the program office at wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu for more information.
When can I apply?
- The Distinguished participation level will automatically be granted to an in-good-standing participant after recording 1000 hours of volunteer service by December 31.
- Applications for Lifetime Service Recognition will be accepted from October 1 – December 31, 2024.
How long can I be distinguished?
- Participants within this level will be required to login to the ORS every year and to record hours yearly. Once the level is attained, a yearly entry of at least 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service must be recorded in the ORS to maintain it. You can hold the participation level as long as you complete the yearly requirements.
Can I be Distinguished and Certified at the same time?
- No, it is not possible to hold two participation levels at the same time within the Online Reporting System. If your lifetime service hours are above 1000, you will automatically be moved to Distinguished. There is a yearly entry of at least 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service in the ORS to maintain it.
- If you do not complete the yearly requirements, your participation level the following year will be Inactive.
- Once you have completed 1000 service hours, you are eligible to apply during the application period for Lifetime Service Recognition should you wish to leave ongoing service from the program with high regards and without further technological commitments.
Is it possible to be Distinguished one year and Inactive the next?
- Yes, if you do not meet the yearly requirements while holding the Distinguished participation level, the following year your participation level will be Inactive.
Can I still volunteer?
- The Distinguished participation level has a volunteer service requirement. To meet requirements for the Distinguished participation level, this includes recording a minimum of 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service in the ORS yearly to maintain it.
- If your application for Lifetime Service Recognition is accepted, you will have no further program requirements or access to the Online Reporting System. You are also still able to volunteer, you just won’t technically be a current participant in the program any longer.
Do I still have to do continuing education?
- The Distinguished participation level has a continuing education requirement. To meet requirements for the Distinguished participation level, this includes recording a minimum of 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service in the ORS yearly to maintain it.
- If your application for Lifetime Service Recognition is accepted, you will have no further program requirements or access to the Online Reporting System.
Do I still have to log into the ORS?
- Yes, to meet requirements for the Distinguished participation level, this includes recording a minimum of 1.0 hour of Continuing Education and 1.0 hour of Volunteer Service in the ORS yearly to maintain it.
- No, if your application for Lifetime Service Recognition is accepted and granted, you will have no further program requirements or access to the Online Reporting System.
Will my title of “Master Gardener” change?
- If you have met requirements for the Distinguished participation level, please see the Using the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Title section in Onboarding-Lite [Canvas NetID required]
- If your application for Lifetime Service Recognition is accepted and granted, while you’ll technically be a “Former Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener”, we absolutely hope you will proudly talk of your service and how you received Lifetime Service Recognition.
If I reach 1,000 hours in the middle of the year will my participation level change?
- No, Distinguished is a participation level. The hours you report into the Online Reporting System (ORS) by December 31 of each year determines your participation level for the following year. Therefore, you will receive the Distinguished participation level the following year.
- If you would like to receive Lifetime Service Recognition you will need to apply for it in the appropriate year. As long as you have 1000 hours recorded in the ORS at the time of the application, you can apply.
What happens to the Honored participation level?
- This participation level will be retired from use effective January 1, 2025.
Why 1,000 hours?
- One of the threshold criteria for achieving the Honored participation level was 1000 volunteer activity hours, and based upon feedback from the focus group, this criteria was maintained for Distinguished and Lifetime Service Recognition.
- 1000 hours is the minimum criteria for similar participation levels in master gardener programs in states bordering Wisconsin.
Who do I talk to if I have questions?
- Contact the program office at wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu
