Honestly, I don’t get the big deal. Why is it such a big deal? I believe you get a discount if you hurry up and renew right away, but other than that, who cares about the title under your name?
Anyone with me?
I agree 100%.
I kinda like it.
Where is this a big deal? Is there a thread I missed? All I can find is this, which doesn’t mention anything about “Charter Member”…
I kinda like it as well.
It’s not a big deal, but the notion of something that isn’t a big deal being arbitrarily taken away, is often a big deal.
I’d like to have it back, but I’m not going to cry about the fact I lost it because I got ill. Shit happens and a title means nothing if you don’t stick to the rules that dispense the title. The date of joining is a good indication of the fact you have been around forever. Luckily Dopers don’t have an expiry date for when they have to go. Be grateful for that. 
Funny isnt it?
I suggest all you that don’t care have your titles changed to simply “Member” to show how much you don’t care and highlight how small of a deal it is.
Or maybe not?..
I kind of like it. Not that I look for it, or are influenced by it…but it’s nice to see who has been a supporter of this board for a good long time.
I like it. I don’t have my entire identity – or even my entire Doper identity – tied up in it, but I like it.
Wait…you mean y’all aren’t…respecting me? Just a little?
BTW, Charter Member, I think your name’s a riot.
I just renewed for another year to keep mine.
I get this.
[Georgia Lass]Hey, I give a shit. Maybe not two…[/GL]
Gee, Guin, I’d figure you of all people would remember the dark days when it looked like this board was about to be shut down and TPTB were begging us to pay to post.
And a huge number of long-time members said “screw it, it’s just a message board. I’m not paying for that.” and left.
But a rag-tage group of true believers, hangers-on, eccentrics and people who needed to get a life actually forked over some cash. As a result, the board lived on.
Now, my ID marks me as a member of the “Class of '99” which is all the status I really need. But I think it’s appropriate that those of us who kept this enterprise going be acknowledged in some tiny little way.
I mean, other than the hookers and blow, of course.
Well, that’s easy to do: you just have to be late renewing your membership. However, you then not only lose that title, but you lose your 50% discount. I’d be happy to lose the title, but I’m a real cheapskate where money is involved 
Just a little.
I lost mine. ::shrug:: No big deal. I still have my join date and post count to show how long I’ve been here if anyone gives a crap.
When you don’t have much even the smallest things take on great import, like prison gangs and charter memberships. We earned these titles and while it’s not a dealbreaker for me one way or another, it’s a small distinction and I like it. We did our part and should get something to show for it. It’s like a distinguished service medal or something.
Do I care? Fundamentally? Deep down in my core? No.
But it’s an outward display of longevity and continuity of participation in this community that people might not be aware of based on my relatively low post count. So, I’d consider it a ‘nice to have’.