I am thinking:

[Login]

We really need some way to pay someone for user-hosted contests.
You can only do a rep once. Thanks aren't always what we want. We need some way to make something of value that all users can do.
Here are some on-the-spot ideas (they may be bad, usually I think my ideas through, this is left with no thoughts)
-IOU

Thought Through (somewhat):
-Reward Points: A user will get reward points from being helpful. Win a user-hosted contest and they can give you a Reward Point. These can be used later on. =P

[Ashely]

I really wish we had a currency

[Fire]

I agree. Currency would be nice

[Who]

currency

[Ice]

It's not a bad idea, but if we end up getting currency then I don't think we need reward points.

[Scripter]

Reward points could be given out to the creator of whatever is voted the most for in a poll that involves user created items...

[Micky]

I wont one of your contests :)