The second question is the answer to the first, the new ranking system requires you to increase your merits, or in this case earn your first merit which is the barest minimum to achieve the jr member rank as you have the needed activity.

How to get merits:
Do not post randomly
Be active on the forum and help out in new threads. Do not simply repeat what others have said.
Do research and in your own words create helpful post.
Use tbe search function to ensure you're not rehashing a previous post.
Do not beg for merits.