Click on CP at the top of the page, on the left side, go to 'edit options', in Messaging and Notifications, click the box at the bottom 'Reputation PM Notification', then you'll get a PM whenever someone reps you.
Just keep a stack of note cards by your computer and write one out when you feel like communicating with someone on a message board. Drop it in the snail mail box, and voila! Isn't technology awesome?