I think this is a great idea, and like the way it's shaping up. But I think the method to gain admittance needs to be fine-tuned. I think Tiger is right that there needs to be several (read: a bunch) of members to start out the new forum and decide on membership. But how would you control it further from there? If it's strictly a nomination process by members who are already allowed, it's possible that some people might be skipped over and over and over... I also think that this method could lead to a bunch of crappy PMs to members saying, "Hey, can you get me in the professionals' forum?" No that that is a bad thing - as some deserving could be left out, but to receive these PMs all the time would be a pain in the ass.

I think the best way to do it is to make a set of standards that make a member eligible to be invited, much like the custom title guidelines. After these members are identified, they are put to a vote by those currently in the Professionals' forum. Those voted in will be allowed in, and those not will be put in the poll the next time around. Elections should happen once a month, around the same time. This way, there is no need to beg, borrow, and steal your way into the forum. No single member will have the ability to nominate or select a new member.

This would be a true mark of community and/or "professionalism" to show that in order to be a part of this group, you must be selected by your peers.