Acknowledgement Guideline

Approved at Tietokilta ry's extraordinary guild meeting on December 21, 2023. Replaces the badge guideline together with the acknowledgement guideline. This is an unofficial translation, and in cases of conflict the official Finnish version should be referred to instead.

The guild's merit badges are the Silver Merit Badge, the Golden Merit Badge, and the ProTiK Merit Badge. Recipients of the merit badges must demonstrate the right attitude and interest in the guild and actively work for the benefit of the guild.

The board decides on the awarding of the guild's merit badges based on a proposal prepared by the Acknowledgement Group. Merit badges cannot be awarded to a sitting board member.

The Silver Merit Badge is a silver-colored lapel pin shaped like the official emblem of the guild, with a diameter of 18 mm. The Silver Merit Badge can be awarded to a regular member of the guild for commendable and enthusiastic work for the benefit of the guild.

A regular member of the guild can propose a recipient for the Silver Merit Badge, and the guild's board decides on the recipients based on a proposal prepared by the Acknowledgement Group. Up to ten (10) Silver Merit Badges can be awarded annually and they are presented at the guild's annual celebration, semi-annual celebration, or another event befitting their significance. However, an exception to the number awarded can be made if the guild's board unanimously decides so.

The Golden Merit Badge consists of a gold-colored official emblem of the guild with a diameter of 20 mm, partially surrounded by a gold-colored laurel wreath from below and the sides. The Golden Merit Badge can be awarded to a current or former regular member or an external member of the guild for either long-term commendable work or exceptionally commendable short-term activity.

A regular member of the guild can propose a recipient for the Golden Merit Badge, and the guild's board decides on the recipients based on a proposal prepared by the Acknowledgement Group. Up to five (5) Golden Merit Badges can be awarded annually and they are presented at the guild's annual celebration, semi-annual celebration, or another event befitting their significance. However, an exception to the number awarded can be made if the guild's board unanimously decides so.

ProTiK is the highest official merit badge of Tietokilta. The badge, designed by Teppo Veijonen, is an 18 mm metal badge based on the guild's official emblem, featuring black and gold colors. ProTiK is worn attached to a 36 mm wide black ribbon.

ProTiK can be awarded to a current or former regular or external member of the guild for exceptionally exemplary and commendable long-term activity for the benefit of the guild's purposes. Up to three (3) ProTiK Merit Badges can be awarded annually, and they are presented at the guild's annual celebration. However, an exception to the number awarded can be made if the guild's board unanimously decides so. ProTiK is primarily awarded to individuals nearing the end of their active involvement in the guild for their long-term work.

A regular or external member of the guild can propose a recipient for ProTiK, and the guild's board decides on the recipients based on a proposal prepared by the Acknowledgement Group.

The Acknowledgement Group presents proposals to the guild's board for awarding the guild's merit badges. The group is assembled through an open call, and the application process is managed by the chair of the board. The group consists of approximately 6-8 people, including individuals with sufficient insight into the matters at hand and at least one (1) ProTiK awardee. The term of a member of the Acknowledgement Group is 2 years.

The assembly of the group is done so that approximately half of the members are replaced annually.

The duties of the Acknowledgement Group include:

• Preparing a proposal for the guild's board regarding ProTiK merit badge recipients with justifications and introduction texts before Muistinnollaus;
• Preparing a proposal for the guild's board regarding Golden Merit Badge recipients with justifications and introduction texts before Muistinnollaus and for other distribution events upon the board's request;
• Preparing a proposal for the guild's board regarding Silver Merit Badge recipients with justifications and introduction texts before Muistinnollaus and for other distribution events upon the board's request;
• Investigating and planning other acknowledgements at the board's request.

The Acknowledgement Group can also, at its discretion or upon the board's request:

• Investigate potential new honorary members for the guild;
• Develop the guild's acknowledgement culture and activities;
• Make development or change proposals to the guild's badge guideline.

If a member of the Acknowledgement Group is proposed as a recipient of an acknowledgement, they must recuse themselves from the group's activities at least during the handling of their own proposal and the final decision on that specific acknowledgement.

Matters not specifically addressed in the guideline are decided by the guild's board.

Amendments to the guideline are decided by the guild meeting.