As I'm sure you know by this time we are celebrating over 1 year of being the very first, and only, church in Second Life to have real life standing in a mainline denomination. 
Being a real church brings some additional responsibilities, including supporting the life of our wider denomination.  We do that by contributing a "per capita" of $12 USD per member annually to our Conference and the wider UCC..  In case you are wondering what that is in L$, I checked and 2710 L$ = 12.01 USD.   
Our Board of Directors (RL) must be responsible for maintaining an accurate "official" membership count, which is always a challenge for any church.  In Second Life we have the additional issue of being an open group.  Since our membership group currently numbers 246 and $12 US multiplied by that number would equal $2,952 US, it is obvious we need to figure out who is an official member! 
Our group is an open group and will remain one.  And we do not have any intention of determining membership by amount given!  No real church does that!  So the Board asked staff to look at the issue.  Here is what we have come up with so far.
1.  All persons joining our group automatically get the "First UCC Friend" tag.  Anyone may become an official member ("1st UCC Member" tag) simply by asking.  That's it.  Nothing else required.  We'll assume that person understands this is a real ministry and that their being a member means they will be included in the per capita obligation we have annually.  
2.  No one will ever be asked to give any specific amount.  Period.  We'd like you to give because you feel led by the Spirit to do so, but we're not keeping track.  No one on staff, and none of the clergy, know who gives what, unless someone tells us.  All donations are instantly automatically forwarded to an account that was established just to receive donations.  Our RL treasurer manages that account.
3.  We assume we will continue to have a lot of "Friends."  Folks who do not wish to be an official member are still encouraged to participate with us as often as they can.  If we notice a lot of participation by a Friend, staff will ask if that person would like to be a member.  If the answer is "yes" it's done.  Incidentally, we hope you'll wear your tag when you're here, but you certainly don't have to!
In summary, anyone who joins the group is a Friend.  Anyone who asks to be a member, or responds to a "Would you like to be?" with a "yes," will become a member.  No questions asked about financial anything.
 I also want to add that this is not a request for money!  We know some of our folks are on limited budgets.  So not to worry about "contributing" if you really can't.  And, some folks just participate occasionally and -- just like in RL -- don't wish to be official members.
Thanks for your patience with us as we try to figure out how to replicate RL financial stuff in SL.  God bless you in whatever role you prefer to take here!
  Jerome Newstart, Founding Minister