# Can someone explain why having "charter member" under your name is important. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704 "2009-05-26T17:08:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/41 "2009-05-27T14:27:41Z")
I used to be a charter member. I let my subscription lapse. The title is unimportant. The service this board offers is not worth even a trivial amount of money. At one point you could get good answers here. Now? GQ threads are a mush comprised of Google hits, wikkipedia links, and lame ass joke answers. The other fora haven’t even that much to offer. I donated my subscription money to the NRA instead. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/42 "2009-05-27T14:35:27Z")
I wouldn’t say “important,” exactly. I just like it. There’s things I pay a hell of a lot more than $7.48 per year for that I like a hell of a lot less. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/43 "2009-05-27T14:56:38Z")
It’s a combination of what **MsWhatsis** and **kunilou** said. I supported the board when they were having money troubles (and ever since) and I got the spiffy title. Yeah I’m a bit miffed that there is no grace period or something, but I’m not kicking my chair over in the cubical. I asked what would benifit the board more, becoming a member or clicking the ads. Then I re-upped. So while I’ll miss my charter status, it isn’t the end of the world. Now if I somehow lost my 99’er status…well, that’s another thing. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/44 "2009-05-27T15:03:17Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I wouldn’t say “important,” exactly. I just like it. There’s things I pay a hell of a lot more than $7.48 per year for that I like a hell of a lot less. Well said, **MsWhatsit**. I figure there’s a lot of things out there I spend a lot more money on that I don’t enjoy. The SDMB is one of the few things I do really enjoy and the cost for a membership that will keep it up and running is minimal, so I figure it’s a small but worthwhile expense. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/45 "2009-05-27T19:24:06Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > …you’d think someone had smacked their kid and **kicked their mother in the snapper**. CAN’T! BREATHE! OMFG that’s…I’m gonna have to be using that one thankyouverymuch! –Inigo, former star-bellied sneech ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/46 "2009-05-27T20:09:17Z")
If you think about it, all “Charter Member” really says is “I’m cheap!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/47 "2009-05-27T20:37:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > If you think about it, all “Charter Member” really says is “I’m cheap!” 😉 …and? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/48 "2009-05-27T20:39:32Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > If you think about it, all “Charter Member” really says is “I’m cheap!” 😉 Yes, but it says it so politely! Actually, though, it says a lot more than just “cheap.” I’m cheap enough to want a discount, but not so cheap that I’ll accept ads. I’ve been cheap since at least 2004. I’m not only cheap, but so anally retentive cheap that I remember to resubscribe by a due date that moves around by a few days each year. I want to say I’m cheap in a way that makes me look important.😛 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/49 "2009-05-27T21:06:34Z")
Haven’t you seen the Charter Member’s restrooms?! Solid fucking gold urinals. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/50 "2009-05-27T21:58:02Z")
Just try not to see them within five minutes of **Gorsnak** ’s leaving. I’m just sayin… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/51 "2009-05-27T22:00:41Z")
Anyway, having the Charter Member tag isn’t important to me, but supporting a site that has given me more infotainment than any other internet location _is_. And I received an email saying that my membership was about to expire… doesn’t everyone? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/52 "2009-05-27T22:49:21Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Holy shit. Postin’ “me too,” like some brain-dead AOLer. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/53 "2009-05-27T23:40:32Z")
Losing the Charter Member tag doesn’t bother me as much as no\*\* Location \*\*showing in posts. Sometimes it’s relevant to the thread. In my case, when it is I mention Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA as the case may be. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/54 "2009-05-27T23:48:07Z")
If it gets me a cheaper subscription, then I’m quite happy. ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/55 "2009-05-28T01:48:59Z")
'cos I’m hanging out to be the last one. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/56 "2009-05-28T02:07:08Z")
I just lost my charter member status. My account expired while I was on the dope - refreshed a page, and suddenly there were ads. It turns out the renewal notice they sent out got eaten by my spam filter. I signed up again right away, but had to pay the double price. I E-mailed Tubadiva to see if they could reinstate my charter status since I was only a guest for a few hours and fully intended to stay paid up, but she said it was impossible. Ah well. No big deal, other than that I’m not paying twice what I used to. > [@Seven](#): > > But now all it means is you don’t know how to use an ad blocker. No, it means that I like paying for the things that I find valuable. This place doesn’t run on charity, so I feel it’s only right to pay for it. For the same reason, I actually pay for songs I listen to, even though it’s trivially easy to get them for free. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/57 "2009-05-28T02:40:56Z")
The Charter Member title means I’m kind of a big deal around here! What? You say it doesn’t really mean that much, there are a ton of people that have it, and those that don’t have it could really give a damn? … well it’s still a 50% discount for something that I pull some pretty good enjoyment and education from every year. So it’s worth it for that. I still think it should affect my self-esteem SOMEHOW, though . . . ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/58 "2009-05-28T03:06:20Z")
I use it to impress women. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/59 "2009-05-28T09:41:45Z")
It signifies that you have passed the Nine Sacred Challenges, gaining the wisdom, dignity, and humility required to be admitted to the Chamber of Goats and Brethren. Me, I got tired of cleaning up after the Goats (and Brethren) so I let mine lapse. I figure I’ve been here nine years and haven’t even hit 3,000 in my post count; as long as I can still read and post I’ll take the free route. Ads don’t bug me. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704/60 "2009-05-28T16:43:27Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Anyway, having the Charter Member tag isn’t important to me, but supporting a site that has given me more infotainment than any other internet location _is_. > > And I received an email saying that my membership was about to expire… doesn’t everyone? Sort of. Like others mentioned it sometimes gets eaten by a spam filter. For me, the registered email address with my SD user name isn’t one I use all the time. In fact it’s pretty much only for here. So I only check it every week or so. Hence me getting the notice only 4 days before my account expires doesn’t really help me. I’d also like to point out that there are probably more than a few of us that don’t pay much attention to the announcements. Why? Because most of the time they don’t apply. I don’t often engage in personal attacks, go to real life meetings, or self-promote my book. So I tend to ignore them totally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-having-charter-member-under-your-name-is-important/497704.md?page=4)