# What's the difference between a member and a Charter member? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 5, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397 "2004-04-05T18:11:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Vision\_of\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Vision\_of\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vision_of_Love)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/1 "2004-04-05T18:11:55Z")
I would’ve tried the search function on this forum but for some reason I couldn’t find it. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/2 "2004-04-05T19:37:59Z")
Mostly, just timing. “Member” was the term used for everyone who registered when the boards were free. “Charter Member” is the term being used now for those who pay their subscriptions before the cut-off date. ---
**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:** [April 6, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/3 "2004-04-06T03:54:34Z")
…And those who subscribe after the cut-off date will also be called member. Also, the reason that you couldn’t find the search is that it’s no longer available to non-paying members. ---
**Author:** ![Vision\_of\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Vision\_of\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vision_of_Love)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/4 "2004-04-06T09:48:20Z")
Thanks. The reason I am wondering is because I’m labelled as a “Guest” that registered August of 2003, and I saw a “Member” (who didn’t pay yet, I assume) that registered in October. Or is it just how I see myself on the boards? Does that Member see herself as Guest as well? ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/5 "2004-04-06T11:46:53Z")
Well I paid up yesterday and was wondering the same thing ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/6 "2004-04-06T12:13:36Z")
> [@icephoenix](#): > > Thanks. > > The reason I am wondering is because I’m labelled as a “Guest” that registered August of 2003, and I saw a “Member” (who didn’t pay yet, I assume) that registered in October. > > Or is it just how I see myself on the boards? Does that Member see herself as Guest as well? It’s because you’ve posted after the switch to paid subscriptions, while the person(s) with “Member” status have not yet posted since the switch. If you pay your subscription now, but do not post after paying, you will still see your status as “Guest”. The moment you make your first post after paying, your status will change to “Charter Member”. > **[Ok, I'm a bit confused. (Guest/Member question.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=247135)** > > I am hesitant to add to the growing number of threads regarding the new subscription policy. But I am curious and must have missed this vital fact in my reading. What is the difference between a GUEST and a MEMBER? For the sake of the hamsters,... ---
**Author:** ![Vision\_of\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Vision\_of\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vision_of_Love)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-charter-member/238397/7 "2004-04-06T12:31:57Z")
Thanks (again), xash. 🙂 I don’t think I thanked you for deleting that porn link I posted in the GQ. 😉