>>But since you raised the question of "cost to $$$" as a measure of the person's true devotion, I'd like to know your opinion.

After all this time, still the straw man attempts?! Puh-leez.

You show me a community "leader" who cynically counts up his contributions in the manner you suggest and I'll show you somebody who most likely is a mercenary trougher who wants to tick the boxes for another year of vendor feed. Real community "leaders" are appointed by the community, not by external vendors wanting cheap "good news" from an army of familiars and/or to control the theme. You asked, so there's your answer!