I really do like this idea, Sam. I can't think of any downsides, actually, and it'll be fun. You've thought of a way to get the forum/chat room more active *and* make sure that the ops in chat are active. Brilliant.

I love the "dues" idea for ops. How many times has a newbie come into chat and said "How do I get to be an op?" and we say "Pay Sam $50" or some other silly answer... ;) Now we can point to this system and say "Become a contributing member of the community and prove how much you want it."