No we don't need to restrict the taking the mick option, we need to get to a place where no one feels the need, or the axe grinders are outweighed by sensibles. I mean it doesn't happen often as people don't generally want to engage due to the possibility of dying in the petty boredom.
I'd like to point out the are plenty of opportunities to engage with the 'civil service' of caving in the areas that 90% agree on that don't get involved in the politics - Youth and Development (there's a large section that doesn't see council), the various special interest groups, cave surveying etc.