Jeff, as you are effectively running the show around here, is there anything you can do regarding topic/post responses?
By that I refer to when members ask other members direct questions only to be ignored.
Have just been having a read through the forum and yes, it is every member's prerogative to reply or not to reply, but the real question is doesn't this make the forum unwelcoming to new members?
A few of the other forums I frequent have a rule in place that specifically state unless a question is abusive, all questions must be answered and not left unanswered. That member also receives notifications saying they need to reply with an answer, which leads me neatly onto the next suggestion...
A forum software update.
A few of us have mentioned this in the past and it is needed now more than ever.
The forum will be offline for a small time, but that won't do any lasting damage as the update will only attract new collectors and make the experience better for current members, and I would like to think I speak for most members when I say we would happily accept a period of downtime in order for an update to be completed; one that enhance the user experience.
NB: I am not criticising any forum member, structure or ownership, but I am criticising the forums software as I talk from experience - it is old, outdated and now unsupported.
Adding changes yourself is all well and good, from a new banner to new categories, but it will all be in vain if the software isn't updated.