I think this token system sounds like a great idea.

Speaking for myself, an added fun incentive to participate in this community would be most welcome. Being on a radically different timezone, and hence my availability to chat at particular times as compared to everyone else, means I've tended to avoid RinkChat and other forms of participation (being too difficult to be there when everyone else is, which has its own isolating effect). This sort of system would definitely have an encouraging effect, perhaps also with other 'lurkers' like me who hang around and would like to join in more.

The idea of being approved for entry in the RinkAlbum sounds good, but has its own pitfalls. I could see being approved becoming an unofficial 'badge' for being a Rinkie, which could encourage those who make it (hooray, I'm in!) and discourage those who haven't yet (what else do I have to do to get in?) I like the idea, but it'd need to be done carefully to avoid feelings of exclusion.

I think automating the op system in the compromise way suggested sounds like the best idea. Now, it feels too arbitrary. Knowing that you're making a list for future consideration is definitely an improvement, I feel.

If the 'ranks' are only private, and others can't see what rank you are, then I think that should avoid possible competitive downsides with that system.

A previous point about prior participations and retroactive recognition makes sense, too. Maybe some areas, like the ones you judged more time-consuming, should be given tokens at the start for work done before the system, whereas bot games and general chatting should only count after the system is in place? (Otherwise I could see some regulars start with eleventy million tokens. There's also a shameless desire for tokens for the couple of things I've done. :) )

Finally, having a list of areas where contributions would be welcome could be very helpful either way.

Whatever happens, I think it would definitely be worthwhile.