# Member vs. Charter Member **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 17, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554 "2005-10-17T03:05:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/1 "2005-10-17T03:05:50Z")
I first joined SDMB 'way back in’00. I ponied up the scratch when it went Pay. I’m pretty sure I was captioned as a “Charter Member”. Now, I seem to have been downgraded to simply “Member”. Was it something I said? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/2 "2005-10-17T05:38:15Z")
Just looked at your subscription; it appears you did not resubscribe to the board until after the Charter Member offer had lapsed. There was a tiny window for a few days after the original Charter Member offer passed that people could pay up and get Charter Member status reassigned; looks like you missed that one too. I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to tell you. TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/3 "2005-10-17T06:07:59Z")
Look at it as an upgrade, rather than a downgrade. Less is more. Every model and actor worth their salt these days have pared themselves down to just one word. Wait a year or so, and all the Chartered Members will be begging to be allowed to join us. ---
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/4 "2005-10-17T11:57:44Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Just looked at your subscription; it appears you did not resubscribe to the board until after the Charter Member offer had lapsed. > > There was a tiny window for a few days after the original Charter Member offer passed that people could pay up and get Charter Member status reassigned; looks like you missed that one too. > > I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to tell you. > > TubaDiva [Extend lower lip in disappointment][Pout]Isn’t that like telling a “charter member” of a church that because you missed the collection plate last Sunday you are now just a “member”? Please reconsider this (changable) policy. [/Extend lower lip in disappointment][/Pout] ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/5 "2005-10-17T13:31:22Z")
> [@RedDawgEsq](#): > > [Extend lower lip in disappointment][Pout]Isn’t that like telling a “charter member” of a church that because you missed the collection plate last Sunday you are now just a “member”? Please reconsider this (changable) policy. [/Extend lower lip in disappointment][/Pout] Sorry, but I think that ship has sailed, reached international waters, and passengers are gambling away their life’s savings at the $1 slots. This was a major topic of converstation during the time of subscription renewals. ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/6 "2005-10-17T13:38:50Z")
Charter Member, if they’re prepared. ---
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/7 "2005-10-17T15:24:41Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Sorry, but I think that ship has sailed, reached international waters, and passengers are gambling away their life’s savings at the $1 slots. This was a major topic of converstation during the time of subscription renewals. [Kidding] Sorry, I had to take chemo that day. [/Kidding] Nevermind, I found a work-around. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/8 "2005-10-17T15:58:33Z")
**RedDawgEsq** , I originally had the “Charter Member” moniker, as well. I let me subscription lapse, and when I re-upped, it was as a “Member”. Once in a while, a veteran Doper comes by to remind me I suck and make me do 100 push-ups, and I _always_ have to pick up the check, but otherwise it’s been fine. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/9 "2005-10-17T18:44:28Z")
I never understood all the hubbub about the “Charter Member” tag. It’s not like having it gives you special privileges or superpowers or anything. They’re just words, and I don’t think anybody really cares about them. Here, **Dawg** : take my Charter Member status. I wasn’t really using it anyway. You know… because it has no use. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/10 "2005-10-17T20:10:15Z")
> [@Loopus](#): > > I never understood all the hubbub about the “Charter Member” tag. It’s not like having it gives you special privileges or superpowers or anything. They’re just words, and I don’t think anybody really cares about them. > > Here, **Dawg** : take my Charter Member status. I wasn’t really using it anyway. You know… because it has no use. You mean you’re not getting the… oop. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/11 "2005-10-17T20:25:26Z")
It doesn’t much matter to me because I missed out on all of it, so I never bothered to figure out exactly how it all worked, and the horse has beaten thoroughly to death in other fora, but as I understand it, Charter Members get discounted membership for life if they always renew in time every year, and Members don’t. That may be wrong. Makes no different to me. I’m a Member, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. At least people don’t think I’m for rent, like those Charter Members… ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/12 "2005-10-17T22:13:22Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > It doesn’t much matter to me because I missed out on all of it, so I never bothered to figure out exactly how it all worked, and the horse has beaten thoroughly to death in other fora, but as I understand it, Charter Members get discounted membership for life if they always renew in time every year, and Members don’t. Well yeah, but I’ve noted that people complaining about this (including **Dawg** here) don’t seem to be worried about the discount so much as the words under their username. That’s what I don’t get. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/13 "2005-10-18T02:11:29Z")
RedDawg, got to call you on that sig. It’s too busy and too noisy and you’re only supposed to use it once per page. Please comply and shape up. I’m sorry you missed the boat on renewing your Charter Membership (which you did when you blew through all chances to resubscribe in a timely fashion), but there is nothing the staff can do to fix that for you, we’re stuck with it too. Email to come on this as well. TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/14 "2005-10-18T02:21:43Z")
**TD** , I don’t see that Red Dawg has used any signature in this thread. What’s the problem? ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/15 "2005-10-18T03:38:27Z")
> [@roger thornhill](#): > > **TD** , I don’t see that Red Dawg has used any signature in this thread. What’s the problem? There’s an option (in the User Control Panel) to view or not view signatures. You’ve apparently turned that option off. Can you see anyone’s sig? Mine? ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/16 "2005-10-18T03:59:01Z")
> [@Feydeau](#): > > There’s an option (in the User Control Panel) to view or not view signatures. You’ve apparently turned that option off. > > Can you see anyone’s sig? Mine? Thanks for the clarification. I note (since I read your message without logging in) that signature lines are shown as default, i.e. non-members will always see them if they happen across the SDMB as they surf. And so, then, yes, I saw Red Dawg’s signature line. Otherwise, I checked my settings and the “show signatures” box is unchecked. Think I’ll keep it that way, as a matter of fact! ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/17 "2005-10-18T04:09:20Z")
I’m another mere member. I was around when we first went to pay, but I didn’t get a bank account of my own until after that. There’s something about sticking the word charter in front that adds a sort of elegance. “Charter Member”, it’s a very nice sounding phrase. Member alone is too dull. That’s my reason for wishing I was a Charter Member, anyway. I’m not complaining though, it’s no less fair than life itself. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/18 "2005-10-18T12:17:04Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > RedDawg, got to call you on that sig. > > It’s too busy and too noisy and you’re only supposed to use it once per page. > > Please comply and shape up. The only \*rule \ ***RedDawgEsq** seems to be violating is using it more than once per page. His sig-enshrined whining may rankle you a little, but “too busy and too noisy” is ridiculous since it conforms to the letter of the \*rules \*otherwise. > [@Arnold Winkelreid](#): > > Profile signatures > How long can my profile signature be? > Your signature should not be more than 4 lines in length (including blank lines) when the browser window is seen on an average size monitor. If your signature is deemed too long, then a staff member may ask you to change it and/or change it for you. > > How many times should I include my signature in a thread? > Once per thread should be sufficient for people to admire the pearl of wisdom included in your signature. If you post multiple times in a thread it is recommended that you only include the signature in one of your posts. > > What if I copy and paste the same text at the end of each of my posts? That’s not a profile signature. > Let’s not quibble on definitions. For all intents and purposes that text included at the end of all your posts is indistinguishable from a profile signature and should follow the recommendations for profile signatures. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/19 "2005-10-18T13:27:37Z")
We don’t want people using sig lines to air their grievances, whether with us or someone else. I’m sorry we can’t make RedDawg happy, but it’s not like I have a lot of options here. TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554/20 "2005-10-18T13:59:32Z")
We’re the best kind of Sneetch on the beaches. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-vs-charter-member/326554.md?page=2)