Probably this might be a rhetorical question. But worth knowing this:
1. Be a somewhat established member.
2. Collect TEN posts written in the last couple of months by other people that have not received nearly enough merit for how good they are, and post quotes for them all in a new Meta thread. The point of this is to demonstrate your ability to give out merit usefully.
3. We will take a look at your history and maybe make you a source.
I am especially eager to have merit sources in sub-communities such as the local sections.
If anyone has been receiving merit and giving merit to good posts and standout, irrespective of the person's rank, he can be given a merit source. But I think people that have this qualities in the past are senior members, heros and legendaries.
Yeah you are right @Charles-Tim and this isn't something that is meant for a specific person or special rank as I know anyone who is that devoted to their locale can apply as one of the merits source. I think your application and that of Upgrade001 should be looking into as I know it's years back and theymos never showed any concerns regarding them. Though he knows how he chooses his application but my wish is for him to at least add additional merits source to us with a good allocation.