(off-topic but common misconception that should be corrected:) IETF doesn't have "members". You just show up on the mailing lists or meetings and sometimes do productive shit, other times get into massive bikeshedding and almost-flamewars. It works surprisingly well but does have its issues.

People do take you more seriously if you've been around for a while and they know you aren't full of shit, but that's just social dynamics.