We're kinda in the same boat here but I would have been a Member rank now if the Merit system hasn't take place. I doesn't really hurt me as I am not really here for the bounty campaign though I did participate in some of them (but never received any payment to date)
Anyway, there are still social media bounty that we can participate and I hope campaign managers will not increase participant requirement to Member only.
As for the tips, probably just enjoy posting on the forum (constructive threads/replies of course) and I like to believe that someone will eventually give their sMerit to us.
Cheers!