When I joined pmdev it was sort of on an appretiship, theorbtwo (or castaway..please forgive me for not remembering since you both helped greatly) took me on and helped me through the first patch. That way a new member isn't lost and doesn't break anything. It doesn't need to be an enforced apprentiship but perhaps anyone should be allowed to join pmdev if they can find a sponsor of sorts. I know that only applies to pmdev and not realy the other groups, but maybe it applies to those as well, trial membership in any form should help weed out people who are undesirable in the group.