I've never been VIP, nor have I any intentions to get it (not because I don't care, but I'm poor), yet I've been happy modding the car forum and WoW for ages.
It's not a weird idea to pick your subordinates from VIP members, knowing that they will most likely not fuck up, but you will cheat yourself out of a good deal of capable modders that could do a cracking job but can't cos they don't have the VIP status. I mean, if you'd replace me for WoW and car forum you'd have to find a VIP member with the same interest in politics and cars and time to spend. Which could get hard, if not for my spot then for the next person.