Funny, at least the sarcasm didn’t start till after I paid.
That’s how they get ya.
The rate for a two year Charter Member renewal went from $14.95 to $17.50 in August of 2018.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Indeed! And thank you very much!
Now, next year when you go to renew, you’ll select – and pay – the regular Charter Member rate.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
I have been considering switching to paying as I approach my 20k th post.
Looking forward at the two year costs (and any farther is too risky, IMHO), the regular membership is a better deal. I don’t see the advantage of charter membership except for the reduced cost down the road (assuming the board stays alive that long).
So not a good deal from my perspective.
I’ve been paying for the board continuously since they started taking payments, and I was a charter member, but somehow I lost my charter membership. I’m not sure why, since as far as I know I have been renewing on time for years. I didn’t even realize it was gone until a few days ago.
Did everyone lose them and now have to pay to get them back? Or, I guess it’s possible that the timing of one of the payments put me back in ‘guest’ mode for a day or two. Not sure what happened there, but it makes me leery of paying extra to get that status back.
Well, whatever makes you happy, that’s what works for us. We appreciate that people would support us on any level, it’s all good.
I agree with you that two years at a time is as far out as you should go. A few have paid extra by accident and some just out of good intentions and gee we really appreciate that, but I don’t recommend it. Not that I think we’re going anywhere but that’s been our policy for a long time and seems sensible.
If you want to make a extra donation to the cause, please use the “Friend of Cecil” category. Any amount you would choose to give is very welcome, and thank you.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Looking at the transaction log, after regaining your Charter Membership in 2009 you let it expire in 2017. You resubscribed one week later, after the Charter Membership expired, which is why you are a Member and not a Charter Member.
The log indicates your last payment was May 2017, where apparently you thought you were buying a two year resubscription. The system shows no further subscription payments since then and you should have been shown as a Guest after May 23 2019.
However, the system still showed you as a Member.
This is clearly in error and you do not currently have a paid subscription in force but since there was an error in the system (you should have received a message in May of 2019 that your subscription was expiring and you were not properly notified), I’m willing to grant you Charter Member status again without the extra payment.
Let me know if that’s what you want to do and I will shift things to grant you access to properly resubscribe at the Charter Member level.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
There was some talk when the “Friend of Cecil” drive started that those who donated would would maybe get some some of trinket / gift / swag / graft for donating at some undetermined time in the future. Since we’re coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the FoC kickoff, has there been any progress on this front?
Because I really, really want my “SDMB Junior Mod” coffee mug!
I appreciate that. i’m also willing to pay for the months where you accidentally left me a member. I had no idea.
Naah, you paid now, you’re cool. I have adjusted your account as needed.
Thanks for your support and all best.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Yes, I was hoping to get some expenses out of STM so I could get some swag going and I have not been successful. And unfortunately over this time I have been unable to do this myself for reasons not worth mentioning except that there is usually too much month at the end of the money. The universal truth is that as much as I love you all, romance takes finance. 
I do have a little something in mind and I am working on it. Everyone who contributes deserves a little something something; those who give a little more should get a little more something something. Sorry to be so vague but lemme get something happening here for you.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Alright, so I paid the $30, and my user CP correctly lists me as being a charter member again as of 8/29, but I’m still listed as guest and the other benefits (adds, bigger PM box, etc) did not kick in. Is there something I have to do?
Not sure if someone did something or it just took some time to register but it’s working now.
I have to process these transactions manually. It took me 20 minutes to get to you. Sorry 'bout that.
All should be good now. Thank you for your support of The Straight Dope, it’s much appreciated.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Hey, this is cool! I re-upped.
Well, I did it. In honor of this 20,000th post I pulled a (small) trigger and threw some money in.
Until next time.
Thank you, that’s great!
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
[freelance, vigilante Junior Copyediting] I see in the updated OP title, and in the corresponding Announcement, that the Charter Member resub deadline has been extended to 18 SEP, as opposed to 16 SEP? In the interest of heading off any potential misunderstandings well ahead of time, it might be worthwhile to mention that here in the body of the thread, particularly since AFAICT folks reading this on tapatalk don’t get to see the titles …[/f,vJCing]
But I really just came here to say that the “DOITODAY!” from the Announcement on this topic is the most perfect transcription of the very end of this old NatLamp bit, and as such deserves a hat-tip and a goofy-ass : National Lampoon - Bob Dylan Parody - YouTube
I did originally mean 16 but what the hey, I’m good with the 18th. Trying to accommodate the procrastinators, I guess. 
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator