Hi Barb,
My use of English is like that!
Could you not include some facility whereby people who have begun posting can choose to be listed as a "newbie"?  It need be nothing more than a welcoming entry.  Older members could then look them up and consider also giving them a personalised  welcome.  
I still think it would be better if you did it automatically, but perhaps after they have posted a few times (say five or ten times).
Again, there is no need to reply to this.
Cliff.