As a thought?
As a suggestion to ease the concerns about email and chat, perhaps it's time to think about a third board - it would be much like the ooc_board, except made specifically for plot-requesting and plot-building. This community has been working very well, of course, but it seems to fill up with hiatus-notices very quickly while all the plot updates keep getting pushed down. I've also noticed that most large rpg's tend to have three boards.
I personally don't care for AIM (sorry to be so lame xD), but I do tend to get to my email within a day or two. Hmm. But yes, this is a lot to think about, and I'm glad that you've brought it up, Brandi. ^^