# What are the different options listed on the subscription (payments) page?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-different-options-listed-on-the-subscription-payments-page/833136>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [April 27, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-different-options-listed-on-the-subscription-payments-page/833136 "2019-04-27T17:31:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-different-options-listed-on-the-subscription-payments-page/833136/1 "2019-04-27T17:31:43Z")

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I got an email that I need (or rather am encouraged) to renew my SDMB subscription.

I know I do not _have_ to do it but I figure I should contribute so I can continue to annoy people.

That said, I am confused at the options I see:

- Straight Dope Board Membership (seems the obvious choice)
- Friend of Cecil (what is that?)
- GIFT Straight Dope Board Membership (is this to give to someone else?)
- GIFT Straight Dope Board Charter Membership (totally confused)

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-different-options-listed-on-the-subscription-payments-page/833136/2 "2019-04-27T18:52:25Z")

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[This thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=860107) explains the most recent subscription options.

Regular Membership means you don’t see ads.

Charter Membership is only open to those who purchased it when we went pay to post for a time. It has to be renewed annually, although there have been a few times when people with lapsed Charter Memberships have been allowed to renew it.

Friend of Cecil is a relatively new option for those who wish to donate.

> [@TubaDiva](#):
>
> There’s a new category called “Friend of Cecil.” I had hoped to be able to set this up so people could contribute anything they liked, but the system doesn’t work like that. So I came up with price points from $10-$50.
> 
> Right this minute Friends of Cecil don’t get anything tangible for their donation except our everlasting thanks. (BUT as I get my hands on merchandise, yes, we would send you something for you contributions, so at most you’ll just have a bit of a wait while supply catches up to demand.) And you also get the satisfaction of knowing you helped make things go better around here and who can put a price tag on that?

The GIFT options are so that you can pay for someone else’s membership. I assume you can also pay for the renewal of a Charter Membership by someone who is already a Charter Member.

There is also an option to pay for a custom title.

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-different-options-listed-on-the-subscription-payments-page/833136/3 "2019-04-27T19:03:03Z")

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Great…thanks!

I did not do Charter Membership (was poor at the time). Never fails to bug me that one.

Thanks though. Will pony up my next year.