Speaking for myself:
Chat :: telephone conversation
Message Board :: e-mail
I prefer e-mail to phone conversation because neither person has to be present at the same time in order to complete an exchange. One participant sends a message when convenient, the other replies when convenient. The conveniences need not occur simultaneously.
While there are times when a simultaneous give-and-take is more efficient, these occasions are rare; and in regard to the function of this community to my life, those occasions are non-existent.
As Maurice explains, if you feel the immediacy of chat would be useful for some purpose, using the message board to alert other like-minded people would be the best course of action. Good luck. I may pop in on the discussion to see if it works out.