This is such a dilemma. On the one hand, I’d like my charter membership back. I missed the deadline and let it slip. On the other hand, I’m pretty much invisible here anyway. I have a grand total of 0 PMs in the 10+ years I’ve posted here. On the third hand, I don’t really mind the ads. In fact, I don’t even notice them really so it makes no sense to pay for a membership just to avoid the ads. On the fourth hand, I’ve really really trying to avoid frivolous expenses and paying for perks that I don’t need or use and to avoid ads that I don’t even notice doesn’t seem like such a good investment. Back to the first hand, though, I like having my title and I do like the idea of supporting the board. I wish I had unlimited disposable income. Then the choice would be so easy.
I think some people (lets face it, I’m not the first one to think of this) may not be too sure that this place will still be around 3 years from now, and that is part of the cynicism.
Heh.
When I started out as charter member, I got the renewal notice in a timely fashion. However, in 2008, I got my renewal notice a day after my membership expired. Oddly enough, I was able to re-up with no penalties. Then last year, I never got the renewal notice at all. I hadn’t even noticed I lost it until I saw my max PM allotment decreased dramatically.
I was disappointed for a bit, but then went “meh” and got over it.
Maybe it’s because you have FOUR HANDS! People are sometimes freaked out by those kinds of disfigurements.
(I kid, I kid)
If I was invisible and had four hands, oh, the things I’d do!
See, and I think it has more to do with the shower, the shadows, creepy music, the knife and…those big ears (only visual I could find quickly…you’ll have to imagine putting the bunny into the movie on your own).
-XT
I agree 100%. The powers that be are giving us something we asked for! Apparently in some people’s eyes they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
You’ve just ruined my day in that (Like Cat Whisperer) I never thought of that and got suitably outraged. 
That’s because you’re not a Charter Member. 
I lost CM due to a stint out of country and being busy. I was told to get over it. I did, and paid double. Then I got over that.
Besides, people can’t see my post count now.
I’m over not seeing your post count.
I’m over Cicero not seeing your post count.
Oh, come on, someone was going to post it!
Ha ha, made you look.
I just happened to check back into the boards after a brief hiatus. 
I’m one of the last boys who lost his charter membership. A IM to xash is on it’s way.
Thanks for bumping this. I would have missed it all together. Though, I don’t recall if I lost my CM or never had it.
Did I miss something? What’s the going rate to be a CM if you weren’t one before?
I honestly don’t even remember if I was a CM or not.
Feel free, anyone, to support the board by paying my fee, whatever it may be. Or not. I ***must ***freeload, but I will not stop anyone from using my membership to kick in more of their hard earned money to help the SDMB. Or not.
I believe that’s called “snark”. Welcome to the Straight Dope. 
(I don’t think there’s going to be a way to become a Charter Member if you weren’t one before.)
I ***thought ***that didn’t read right!
Thanks for the confirmation.
Well, I haven’t posted here in years. I used to be a charter member, and then let it lapse when I didn’t want to pay anymore. The I joined TotalFark. This place is cheaper. I’m just not sure that I want to pay two places.
Hard to believe I joined here (officially) 8 years ago. Chicago Fark 2003 was 7 years ago. Seems crazy.
Anyway, having the opportunity to start posting here again, and regaining my title actually gives me pause. I may just do it. I’m going to go surf the boards first for old times’ sake though.
h