Sorry for my absence here, everyone, I have been getting serious lag on the site, but I haven't forgotten about this. The site seems to be doing okay for now though, so I will be stepping up my activity.
@ pokelantis: Anybody can join, as long as the gym leaders are here and able to battle when you challenge them. Just PM them. It isn't there job to come looking for you, it is your job to PM them and arrange a time with them...Otherwise, challenge anybody you want (other than the Elite Members) You need to beat any eight of the first set of gyms, then battle the elites. Just stay within the gym leaders rules. You can find the gym rules in the first post of this thread.