Thanks Dan! I really like the fact that you're so keen on "rewarding" JYDs. It's one of the things that make this place feel like a real community, a true brotherhood!
As far as a newsletter is concerned, I think that others have covered that already: no need for exclusivity, keep everyone in the loop.
Test-team sounds like an awesome idea. We have JYDs of varying ages and experiences (both of which is important in reviews, I think) as well as spread around the world. It'd be cool to get reviews from Australia, the UK and Europe and all over the US (I'm sure we're other places too!) showing how the knife copes with different environments and techniques.
I like the Knife Council idea too. There seem to be no end of suggestions for new SYKCO steels on here.
While numbers is a nice idea, I must admit that I like the SYKCO JYD writing better. Using different logos may add extra costs which detracts from the Yard's affordability, I think.
Cards and patches are awesome ideas! JYD T-shirts and hoodies?
Discounts and free shipping would be supremely awesome ways to say "thank you" (I'm in the UK and shipping is starting to become a limiting factor: $120 on my last order and the customs charge was £120+).
