This doesn't really address your issues but I am going to resurface the REEP idea (Regional Event Exchange Program)

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum25/HTML/000256.html

And as far as not having a rep, What are you waiting for?? A rep would need to be knowledgeable in Harbour Lights, Willing to travel, here's a chance to earn something while your at all those events and signings, write off all your lighthouse travel expenses as work. But the down side is that the rep status will exclude you from winning the really good stuff (gold)