I think that the tier membership is a good idea. As would be heavy moderating of the areas that n00bs can access.
I think you guys are looking at it backwards though. People that join should have access to everything. When they act like fools they get pushed down a tier.
I'd throw my hat into the "I want to be a new mod", but even if I was voted in, I doubt it would happen.
__________________ Be careful what you pretend to be, because you are what you pretend to be.
-Kurt Vonnegut