Article: Becoming a Microsoft MVP doesn't technically mean you've joined a club; rather, it means you've earned an award. And, like most awards, this one can be rescinded if you don't conduct yourself in a professional manner. In reality, though, there aren't any big surprises in the code of conduct, which can be found at https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/Pages/mvp-code-of-conduct. Grounds for having your award rescinded include, for example: harassing, abusing, or discriminating against others; libeling or slandering Microsoft or any of its employees; violating confidentiality agreements; plagiarizing the work of others; posing as a Microsoft employee. In addition to the honor of getting the award, there are also tangible benefits that come with becoming a Microsoft MVP. These include, but are not limited to, the following: Early access to Microsoft products. Direct access to Microsoft product teams in your field. An invitation to the Global MVP summit, held annually at Microsoft HQ in Redmond, Washington, USA. Microsoft MVP awards last for 1 year, unless you do one of the following: give back the award; have the award rescinded for misconduct; or take a job with Microsoft. You can't renew an existing MVP award, but you can be nominated year after year continuously. For example, you'll see people in the field who style themselves as an "8-year Microsoft MVP." This means that they've held 1-year MVP awards 8 different times (consecutively or not), not that they've held a single MVP award for 8 years. As soon as you finish celebrating your first MVP award, start thinking about what you can do to earn another one. Each year, your nomination will be evaluated over again, with the expectation that you've continued to share your passion, knowledge, and expertise. This means that someone who has held MVP awards for 10 consecutive years has consistently worked to earn that recognition the entire time. Microsoft MVPs often form both professional relationships and personal friendships during their terms. To help facilitate continued networking among former MVPs, Microsoft has created the "MVP Reconnect" program. It's essentially an online forum that makes it easier for former MVPs to keep in touch. You're eligible if: you're a former MVP who left the program in good standing (that is, didn't have your award rescinded); you still meet the conditions of the MVP Code of conduct; and you don't work for Microsoft. If you take a job with Microsoft or earn another MVP award, you'll have to quit the MVP Reconnect program. You can join again if your circumstances change once more.

What is a summary?
Follow the MVP Code of Conduct. Take advantage of the benefits of being an MVP. Treat the MVP as a 1-year award that you can earn annually. Work to earn another MVP award in the same fashion as your first. Transition to the MVP Reconnect program if you're a former MVP.