# What is a charter member and how do I become one. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 5, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430 "2011-06-05T20:30:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chiefwhitesr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@chiefwhitesr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiefwhitesr)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/1 "2011-06-05T20:30:18Z")
Why would I want to become a charter member? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/2 "2011-06-05T20:35:35Z")
A few years ago when the Board was experiencing financial distress, it went to a paid membership model. The first group of people to sign up and pay received the title Charter Member. The offer isn’t open to anyone anymore, and CM’s only get to retain their title as long as they continue to subscribe continuously. Over the years a few have let their membership lapse and lost the title, even though they later paid up. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/3 "2011-06-05T20:35:41Z")
“Charter Member” is a title given to the first group of people who became paying members. They are given a discounted renewal price and the title “Charter Member.” You can’t become a charter member if you aren’t already one. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/4 "2011-06-05T20:43:09Z")
It ain’t worth it - trust me ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/5 "2011-06-05T21:26:14Z")
But I thought you _liked_ calamari, **zoid**! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/6 "2011-06-05T21:43:15Z")
Time Machine is currently your only option. I figure we should just wait for the robots from the future to bring the time machine to us. Then we build the time machine from the plans they bring. Then we build the robots from the plans they bring. Then we go back in time and become charter members. I’m pretty sure this is how Chronos did it / will do it / will have done it / has already will do it. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/7 "2011-06-05T22:09:03Z")
They’re just teasing you. We are the elite. Trust me, you do not want to take even the first step down this path. The Charter Members undergo rigorous testing and training - few survive, even fewer pass. I \*still \*have scars that would frighten children. (OK, only that last sentence is true.) ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/8 "2011-06-05T22:17:19Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > . . . I’m pretty sure this is how Chronos did it / will do it / will have done it / has already will do it. It’s the verb tenses that’re the worst part of time travel, isn’t it? Easier to just not talk about it. And you always end up meeting yourself, which never happens on a good hair day. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/9 "2011-06-05T22:22:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But I thought you _liked_ calamari, **zoid**! OK - two things… 1. the squid should be DEAD! 2. you’re supposed to put in your MOUTH! Charter members do NOT make Opal references ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/10 "2011-06-05T22:27:56Z")
Ex-CM checking in. Not sure why. Did someone call me? ---
**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:** [June 5, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/11 "2011-06-05T22:28:30Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But I thought you _liked_ calamari, **zoid**! I think you’re confusing him with Dr. Zoidberg. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/12 "2011-06-05T23:02:23Z")
For a long time, this board required paid membership to post, due to financial hardship. The first adopters were offered a fixed, lower rate by way of recognition and can retain their distinction by way of keeping their membership paid-up continuously. It’s quite distinctive of this board that you’ll find people who have been members - and have _paid_ to be members - for over a decade. The board has chiefly gone away from this model, but certain perks are still only available to paying members, like the picture-enabled Marketplace Forum and the all-you-can-“eat” squid buffet. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/13 "2011-06-05T23:11:58Z")
> [@gukumatz](#): > > the board has chiefly gone away from this model, but certain perks are still only available to paying members, like the picture-enabled marketplace forum and the all-you-can-“eat” squid buffet. It’s a trap! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/14 "2011-06-05T23:21:41Z")
**chiefwhitesr** : You said in another thread you were in the Navy. Charter Member = Plank Owner ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/15 "2011-06-05T23:28:44Z")
I’m also a former charter member and proud of my current guest status. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/16 "2011-06-05T23:55:41Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > They’re just teasing you. > > We are the elite. Trust me, you do not want to take even the first step down this path. The Charter Members undergo rigorous testing and training - few survive, even fewer pass. > > I \*still \*have scars that would frighten children. (OK, only that last sentence is true.) Hell, I have scars that would frighten grown men! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/17 "2011-06-05T23:57:01Z")
My scars frighten my scars! ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/18 "2011-06-06T04:11:07Z")
There are Charter Members and there are Charter members. Those whose nicks start with “C” are extra special. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/19 "2011-06-06T04:12:40Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > There are Charter Members and there are Charter members. > > Those whose nicks start with “C” are extra special. Yes you are and we had to buy a longer bus to fit them all in. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430/20 "2011-06-06T04:30:06Z")
> [@Gukumatz](#): > > It’s quite distinctive of this board that you’ll find people who have been members - and have _paid_ to be members - for over a decade. Has it really been that long? I thought we switched to a pay model in 2003 or so? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member-and-how-do-i-become-one/584430.md?page=2)