Every community should have A-List members. Usually it’s implicit. The regulars know who the top members are. There isn’t a need to make a list, unless you want to stimulate a lot of activity.
Why not make it explicit? Take the unwritten list and write it down for everyone to see. Better, invite your community to do it. Who do they believe are the top members?
Every 6 – 12 months put together nominations for 10 members to be on the A-List, B-List and C-List of your community.
You’re going to get intense debates, happy members, sad members, angry members and a healthy dose of activity. You might just find it motivates your members to contribute more.
Of course, your A-List members get badges to display and bragging rights.