Referrals

What is the significance of "Referrals" on a members page?

I like to know the same thing I have made a few referrals in the process of BPers becoming verified.

On the home page, under the main menu options, there is a link called "Invite a Friend".
http://www.eccie.net/profile.php?do=invitation

The person clicks that and fills in the email address of the friend and an email is sent to that person. There is a link in the email and if that person signs up using the link the original person get a "referral" on his record.

That don't get anything for the referral but a pat on the back, but its a fun way to bring people to the site.