# What is a "Charter Member"? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 5, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353 "2008-07-05T04:42:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/21 "2008-07-06T15:22:03Z")
[QUOTE=foolsguinea] :rolleyes: At least the first two responses were useful. [/QUOTE] As was yours. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/22 "2008-07-06T16:58:06Z")
[QUOTE=foolsguinea] :rolleyes: At least the first two responses were useful. [/QUOTE] Well, the question was answered. We can’t start having a little fun afterward? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/23 "2008-07-06T17:33:59Z")
[QUOTE=foolsguinea] :rolleyes: At least the first two responses were useful. [/QUOTE] What other information do you think should have been offered? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/24 "2008-07-06T19:53:19Z")
So, do you guys have secret decoder rings that tell you to drink more ovaltine? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/25 "2008-07-06T21:15:47Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] Exceeded only by a 99er. [/QUOTE] Hey, junior, you just squeeked in among us. I’m in awe of the AOLers. Couldn’t get that around here. I remember posting at **alt.fan.ceciladams** , though. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/26 "2008-07-06T22:07:09Z")
[QUOTE=Inner Stickler] And so modest, too. [/QUOTE] We think it’s discourteous to dwell upon our massive swinging endowments. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/27 "2008-07-06T22:56:53Z")
Seriously, next year is anniversary. What should we do? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/28 "2008-07-06T23:07:44Z")
[QUOTE=Charlie Tan] Seriously, next year is anniversary. What should we do? [/QUOTE] **Cecil** needs a Human sacrifice. Via 1920’s Style Death Ray, of course. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/29 "2008-07-06T23:17:57Z")
[QUOTE=Jragon] So, do you guys have secret decoder rings that tell you to drink more ovaltine? [/QUOTE] I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/30 "2008-07-07T00:45:16Z")
[QUOTE=Jragon] So, do you guys have secret decoder rings that tell you to drink more ovaltine? [/QUOTE] No, we’ve moved past that. Which reminds me, I’m due a new [one-time pad](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-time_pad) from the Chi Reader this week. Tripler R W K 9 F ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/31 "2008-07-07T02:48:59Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] R W K 9 F [/QUOTE] Send lawyers guns and money. No, sorry, no new one while the old one still works just fine. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/32 "2008-07-07T03:05:10Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] We think it’s discourteous to dwell upon our massive swinging endowments. [/QUOTE] Yes, remarking on a pendulous beer-gut is considered impolite. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/33 "2008-07-07T03:29:40Z")
[QUOTE=Charlie Tan] Hey, junior, you just squeeked in among us. I’m in awe of the AOLers. Couldn’t get that around here. I remember posting at **alt.fan.ceciladams** , though. [/QUOTE] I was on a.f.c-a back in '94 or '95. I remember **flodnak** from then. That get me anything? ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/34 "2008-07-07T09:14:58Z")
To further answer your question, Charter Members have also never let their subscription expire. I was one once, For a year, Back when fees were started. Alas, I let my subscription lapse and I am no longer one. I guess that means I’ve fallen from grace. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/35 "2008-07-07T09:46:23Z")
[QUOTE=Lazlo] Alas, I let my subscription lapse and I am no longer one. I guess that means I’ve fallen from grace. [/QUOTE] So hard you left cracks in the floor. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/36 "2008-07-07T10:41:05Z")
[QUOTE=Charlie Tan] Seriously, next year is anniversary. What should we do? [/QUOTE] There’s a Chicago fest in the works… ---
**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:** [July 7, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/37 "2008-07-07T17:09:55Z")
Now that everyone’s had their fun . . . A few years back the board went from being free to post to charging a subscription for the privilege to post. A one-time offer was made to all registered on the board and in good standing at that time – all those who took us up on the initial subscription offer became Charter Members. Being a Charter Member entitles you to half-price subscription fees and the title “Charter Member.” There IS a catch, though – you can’t ever let your Charter Member subscription lapse or it’s gone forever. As some have unfortunately discovered. This was a one time offer and it has not been repeated. You either got in on the deal or you didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/38 "2008-07-07T17:55:36Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] He/She is a godlike being, loved & adored by all, my child. Exceeded only by a 99er. [/QUOTE] You rang? Y’all forgot to mention the special bonus of acid flashback-like memories of the appearance of pushpins on AOL. The new kids can talk about the Winter of Our Missed Content, but remembering AOL pre-pushpins, well, that’s extra special. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/39 "2008-07-07T18:50:36Z")
What about 99’ers who aren’t Charter Members? 😉 Just call me Charley Bucket ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Linear\_Crack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Linear\_Crack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linear_Crack)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353/40 "2008-07-09T06:56:55Z")
[QUOTE=TubaDiva] There IS a catch, though – you can’t ever let your Charter Member subscription lapse or it’s gone forever. As some have unfortunately discovered. [/QUOTE] Well, we may have been stripped of our Charter title, and the many perks that go along with it, but deep down we all know the ancient charter code: Once a Charter Member, always a Charter Member! 😛 So we have that going for us, which is nice. -LC [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-charter-member/455353.md?page=3)