I really like the idea of an "invite-only" and possibly "voted-in" area.

I would like to be able to trust the character of each member. Meet and greets are the best way to get to know people and are much safer than just judging someone by their post count. Any bozo could BS a hundred posts about having common interests, but do you REALLY know who that person is? Could you trust them? Would you want to share your more personal information with them?

Having a private sub-forum would easily limit public access to the perceived tin-foiliness... But in all honesty, it doesn't have to be like that at all. I just want to be able to meet some quality people to discuss disaster prepping and survival. Its not like we're planning a coup or anything!