Agree Dennis, since it's kind of what I do for a professional just some ideas to throw out there but;
next to a post there's button to add a person to a contact list
a friends list on your profile page
maybe a option to view who's friends with whom (a la a VERY popular social networking site I didn't say anything!
what about a live chat option for members online, seen post that this was an option in the past that didn't work too well, never give up (at least create a beta group to try and test)
Interface PMs directly with emails

Just some thoughts.... Hey! I'm an application adminstrator, this is what I do all day long... speaking of... time to get off the work computer and go home. Later guys! Have a great evening.

Thanks James for your input! If you look at my posting someone blocked out a fishing site maybe thinking it was a dirty word. The fishing site is called B*******s .com . I have had plenty of people say what kind of bass fishing site using dirty words like that. www.b*******s.com . Now I have several people I may like to send a email and have to pull up thier name and then click on the button to send a message to the friend. It would be easier to have a friends list on your profile like James was saying.or agreeing.  B******* .com