Charter Members

[Moun10Bike]

That is Jeremy. #1 was a test account that no longer exists in the database, and #2 is Jeremy's admin account.

[+Ltljon]

Cool, thanks for the info. I found it interesting (and kinda proud) that I'm in an elite group of 400 or so Charter Members. I woulda never guessed the number would have been that small. I remember thinking way back then that as much fun as this game provided I would always (hopefully be able to) donate that small sum to keep it going for as long as I could, whether active or not. So far so good...

[+Logscaler and Red]

On 3/2/2016 at 12:15 PM, Moun10Bike said:

There are currently 448 charter members (I've eliminated the ones that are not "legit" charter members, such as test accounts at Geocaching HQ). 409 of these have cache hides attached to their account, and 366 have active hides (27,253 total).

 

I've updated my list of charter member hides.

Any updates to this information?

Going through the list of caches, I noticed we have 9 active 3 digit cache hides still active and thought that was kinda cool.

[Moun10Bike]

23 hours ago, Logscaler and Red said:

Any updates to this information?

Going through the list of caches, I noticed we have 9 active 3 digit cache hides still active and thought that was kinda cool.

 

There have been some losses. We are now down to 430 legitimate Charter Members. Of these, 390 have associated hides, and 340 have active hides (12,451 total).

[+MNTA]

2 hours ago, Moun10Bike said:

 

There have been some losses. We are now down to 430 legitimate Charter Members. Of these, 390 have associated hides, and 340 have active hides (12,451 total).

 

Is there a public list of the active hides? I'm working on a challenge to find 50 charter member caches and a few short. https://coord.info/GC55XP0 Got to love grandfathered challenges!

 

 

[Moun10Bike]

18 minutes ago, MNTA said:

 

Is there a public list of the active hides? I'm working on a challenge to find 50 charter member caches and a few short. https://coord.info/GC55XP0 Got to love grandfathered challenges!

 

 

 

I updated the list that Logscaler quoted above: my list of charter member hides.

[+MNTA]

52 minutes ago, Moun10Bike said:

 

I updated the list that Logscaler quoted above: my list of charter member hides.

Looks like bigcall had a public bookmark list. https://www.geocaching.com/plan/lists/BM2DVKX?sort=name&sortOrder=asc&skip=0&take=500

 

From there you can find other caches owner by them.

[+bigcall]

I'll update my bookmark list to reflect the changes.  It's only a single selected cache per Charter Member, but hopefully it fulfills the purpose

[+bigcall]

I just finished updating the bookmark list - it was a semi-painful process, but I believe it matches up with Moun10Bike's spreadsheet now:

 

https://www.geocaching.com/plan/lists/BM2DVKX?sort=name&sortOrder=asc&skip=0&take=500

 

There were quite a number of changes, mostly subtractions as noted, but several additions as well.

 

I left off Geocaching HQ and for some reason could not add CherokeeThree (I think it's due to their having only 3 archived event caches to choose from?)

 

I checked a couple of the Project-GC checkers and they appear to be in need of an update now as well as fizzymagic's GSAK macros.

 

I'm not sure how to get the ball rolling on those...

[+Logscaler and Red]

On 3/2/2020 at 8:42 PM, Moun10Bike said:

 

I updated the list that Logscaler quoted above: my list of charter member hides.

Thanks for taking the time to compile all this information.

[+medicineman]

I found these spreadsheets and lists very handy.  I often wondered how many charter members there are.  Thanks

[+Goldenwattle]

On 3/3/2020 at 3:42 PM, Moun10Bike said:

 

Off topic.

I picked up an unactivated TB in Tasmania and sent it travelling. It is called 'Moun10Bike Tag'. Was this yours?

https://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=7098524

It went missing in 2018, but was recently rediscovered this year.

[+Isonzo Karst]

@Goldenwattle

Tag was dropped byMoun10bike- read this log

https://coord.info/GLPT38JK

 

I would absolutely assume it was dropped as a gift for whoever picked it  up - which turns out to be you.

[Moun10Bike]

Yep, that was one of my version 2 Lackey tags!

[+Goldenwattle]

9 hours ago, Isonzo Karst said:

@Goldenwattle

Tag was dropped byMoun10bike- read this log

https://coord.info/GLPT38JK

 

I would absolutely assume it was dropped as a gift for whoever picked it  up - which turns out to be you.

Thanks. Now I remember that place. I found it from above in a bit of dangerous place (I could have slipped and fallen two or three metres onto concrete), in a not, as marked, 1.5T place. Coordinates likely 15 metres out too. I see the cache is now archived. How did you manage to find this log?

[+Goldenwattle]

8 hours ago, Moun10Bike said:

Yep, that was one of my version 2 Lackey tags!

Thank you. It was a nice surprise. I hadn't heard of lackey tags then. The tag has now travelled to several countries. It's in the UK now.

Edited May 19, 2020 by Goldenwattle

[JeepGPS]

On 1/21/2014 at 10:08 PM, Keystone said:

There has never been a "lifetime" membership option, or any other membership period longer than one year.

 

The requirements for Charter Membership were to have become a premium member during the first year when premium memberships were offered (spring 2002 to spring 2003) and then keep that premium status current.

Thank you for this. I always wondered what the parameters were to be a Charter Member. I thought maybe it was limited to the first 100 or 1000 or whatever. I started geocaching in Nov 2002 but never knew about Charter or Premium Membership. 

[+gearhedd]

@Moun10Bike  Looking for this trivia answer... What is the number of charter member left to date?   What was the original number?  Thanks!   

[Moun10Bike]

10 hours ago, gearhedd said:

@Moun10Bike  Looking for this trivia answer... What is the number of charter member left to date?   What was the original number?  Thanks!   

 

We are still at 430 Charter members. It looks like there were originally 5,399 accounts who purchased membership that first year.

[+TeamRabbitRun]

1 hour ago, Moun10Bike said:

 

We are still at 430 Charter members. It looks like there were originally 5,399 accounts who purchased membership that first year.

 

That's a pretty hefty percentage of people who were engaged in a brand-new paid-for hobby 20 years ago that took a not-insignificant investment!

Speaks to the quality of what we do.

 

 

 

 

Or obsession.

[+drpepper]

Does a charter member patch exist?  Would like to get one.

[+Logscaler and Red]

Wow, down to 430 charter members as of March, attrition over time makes our 20 anniversary on May 4th, 2021 a milestone I guess.

 

19 years of charter member is on $570 so all in all not much for all we have gotten - and are going to get - out of this "sport".

 

 

[+Ltljon]

On 3/17/2021 at 9:48 PM, drpepper said:

Does a charter member patch exist?  Would like to get one.

I'd definitely love to own one too! I guess its just not cost effective to have them made, then hope they all sell.

But if they ever do....

[+Sagefox]

On 5/2/2021 at 7:16 PM, Logscaler and Red said:

19 years of charter member is on $570 so all in all not much for all we have gotten - and are going to get - out of this "sport".

 

 

 

Agreed.  We are at 19 years also and have enjoyed every bit of it.

[+lostdog19]

Just stumbled into this thread after starting to become more active again.   Even in my non-active years, I still paid my $30.   Any updates on number of charters or celebrations of 20 years of continuous membership?

[+bigcall]

The last update from Mou10Bike back in January showed 430 "real" charter members, 390 of whom ever owned a cache, and 336 who still own one.

[+Smitherington]

I hope to complete 20 years in July and I think I will throw a party so some friends can join me in celebrating.  GC9V8EW

 

When the opportunity to contribute to this activity I love came available, it was a no brainer for me to sign up.  But I did not realize that so few other cachers with that designation were still at it. 

 

[Moun10Bike]

In looking to update this thread, I discovered that we have a possible bug in our membership process impacting Charter Members. While we currently have 428 CMs, it looks like the number should actually be 345. I've reported my findings to engineering and once everything is investigated and, if needed, corrected, I'll post new information here.

[+Breaktrack]

On 6/23/2022 at 8:13 PM, Moun10Bike said:

In looking to update this thread, I discovered that we have a possible bug in our membership process impacting Charter Members. While we currently have 428 CMs, it looks like the number should actually be 345. I've reported my findings to engineering and once everything is investigated and, if needed, corrected, I'll post new information here.

Should be interesting as to what you find.

 

Mac

[+Smitherington]

I became a member on July 28, 2002 (20 years ago today), a paying member when that became available, and have kept my membership active since that date.  Party Saturday as an event to celebrate with other cachers.

[Moun10Bike]

6 hours ago, Breaktrack said:

Should be interesting as to what you find.

 

Mac

 

What I discovered is that Charter Members who had stopped renewing after about 2013 or so never lost their status. The issue has been fixed, but rather than just expiring all of those users we sent them an explanatory email and extended their membership. Those extensions will expire after August and that's when we'll be able to get a clearer picture of how many CMs are truly left.

[+Breaktrack]

On 7/28/2022 at 4:43 PM, Moun10Bike said:

 

What I discovered is that Charter Members who had stopped renewing after about 2013 or so never lost their status. The issue has been fixed, but rather than just expiring all of those users we sent them an explanatory email and extended their membership. Those extensions will expire after August and that's when we'll be able to get a clearer picture of how many CMs are truly left.

Any update on this since August? 

 

Mac

[+hzoi]

On 3/11/2020 at 4:33 PM, bigcall said:

I left off Geocaching HQ and for some reason could not add CherokeeThree (I think it's due to their having only 3 archived event caches to choose from?)

 

An aside from  the more recent discussion, but - CherokeeThree now owns three hides, including their very aptly named "A First Time for Everything."

[Moun10Bike]

On 10/14/2022 at 5:18 AM, Breaktrack said:

Any update on this since August? 

 

Mac

 

Here are the current numbers after the fallout from the expiration issue mentioned in August:

• 358 "real" Charter Members (not Lackey accounts, test accounts, HQ account, or other accounts granted Charter Membership after the closure of the initial CM period)
• 363 total Charter Members in the database
• 5,399 original CMs (best guess)
• 328 current CMs ever owning a cache
• 11,995 active caches by current CMs

[+vds]

Hi Jon - obligatory 'still here' post :-)

 

It would be fun to have the remaining charter members say what their alltime fave is.

 

I still have to go with  'The Di Gital Code' slightly in front of 'MisLED' which still has my longest log entry from waaaaaaay back when (link).  Someday I'll get even with TravisL.  Someday.  It's only been a bit shy of 20 years.

[+bigcall]

Is the google drive file updated?  I was going to update my bookmark and see if I can get some of the automated checker tools updated

[Moun10Bike]

9 minutes ago, bigcall said:

Is the google drive file updated?  I was going to update my bookmark and see if I can get some of the automated checker tools updated

 

It is now!  

[+The Leprechauns]

23 minutes ago, bigcall said:

I was going to update my bookmark and see if I can get some of the automated checker tools updated

 

I own a Bigcall Challenge in Pittsburgh, and I've been telling people "not to worry" if someone on the list was no longer a Charter Member.  I guess one of the reasons why this type of challenge cache is no longer allowed is because it's a moving target, as Charter Members revert to Basic membership over time.  So, if the verification checker is changed, there will be people who get upset.

 

But, if you do go through with it, I would love for the challenge checker to provide a list of which Charter Members have been found, so that people can mark their progress, in addition to the list of Charter Members they haven't found.  Also, Geocaching HQ should not be an eligible Charter Member for purposes of a Bigcall Challenge.

[+Breaktrack]

10 hours ago, Moun10Bike said:

 

Here are the current numbers after the fallout from the expiration issue mentioned in August:

• 358 "real" Charter Members (not Lackey accounts, test accounts, HQ account, or other accounts granted Charter Membership after the closure of the initial CM period)
• 363 total Charter Members in the database
• 5,399 original CMs (best guess)
• 328 current CMs ever owning a cache
• 11,995 active caches by current CMs

Well done, and that is really good info. I'm not sure what it all adds up to, lol, but it's still interesting. I really ought to get back out there and find some more myself, not just maintain my own. Thanks for the work.

 

[+bigcall]

14 hours ago, The Leprechauns said:

 

I own a Bigcall Challenge in Pittsburgh, and I've been telling people "not to worry" if someone on the list was no longer a Charter Member.  I guess one of the reasons why this type of challenge cache is no longer allowed is because it's a moving target, as Charter Members revert to Basic membership over time.  So, if the verification checker is changed, there will be people who get upset.

 

But, if you do go through with it, I would love for the challenge checker to provide a list of which Charter Members have been found, so that people can mark their progress, in addition to the list of Charter Members they haven't found.  Also, Geocaching HQ should not be an eligible Charter Member for purposes of a Bigcall Challenge.

I'm not sure how to grandfather that in other than not updating it? Perhaps a solution is for anyone working on it to document their current progress before the updates go into effect?

 

I went through the new spreadsheet (gotta love Power Pivot) and there are only 286 Charter Members with active caches, so if someone were to start today it would be even harder.  I will ask the checker folks about changing the output slightly since I agree with you, that sort of information would be very useful.

 

BTW, Geocaching HQ is no longer on the list.

[+bigcall]

I just updated the Bookmark list. 

 

https://www.geocaching.com/plan/lists/BM2DVKX?sort=name&sortOrder=asc&skip=0&take=500

 

Lost 64 and gained 4 from what I had before.  Shot a note to Project-GC to see what the process is to request to update the checker.  Looking at the code, it seems like it could be as easy as copying a new list in, but it sounds like it would run faster with Cacher ID #s?

 

Given some of the changes, I may need to get busy to get back up to 50 myself...

[+MNTA]

5 hours ago, bigcall said:

I just updated the Bookmark list. 

 

https://www.geocaching.com/plan/lists/BM2DVKX?sort=name&sortOrder=asc&skip=0&take=500

 

Lost 64 and gained 4 from what I had before.  Shot a note to Project-GC to see what the process is to request to update the checker.  Looking at the code, it seems like it could be as easy as copying a new list in, but it sounds like it would run faster with Cacher ID #s?

 

Given some of the changes, I may need to get busy to get back up to 50 myself...

 

Personally I agree with previous comments. The challenge should be finds of cachers that WERE charter members not that their current status is charter. But  I suppose that is not up to me.

 

Having worked hard to get to within 1 find to qualify would be disappointed to find I'm now much further away. BTW love these challenges just not moving targets.

 

Can you please tell us who you added. I have 9 different bookmark lists with all the caches of charter members would love to update the list and maybe I might get lucky and find a cache nearby,

 

IMaybe less interesting to me but maybe others whom you removed.

[+bigcall]

I would prefer not to start a firestorm by posting publicly who was added and subtracted especially since it wasn't my decision and I don't know the rationale/reasons. 

I can send a personal note if you desire?

[+bigcall]

The new challenge checker is in place now, so the task is a little harder.

 

In the spirit of trying to make it easier, I created a series of bookmarks which contain all the Charter Member active caches.  It only goes through caches that were published through mid-October.

 

This was somewhat of a daunting task and I'm sure it's not perfect.  I will say that I do not intend to update it frequently, or at all as caches become archived, transferred to new owners, or new one published.  Hopefully it will help with finding Charter Member caches since I believe these should be able to be turned into pocket queries?

 

I only made them shareable for the time being, so if there are comments and/or feedback, let me know before they are published as Public.  I figured this forum topic was a good place to start.

 

https://coord.info/BMBP0GM

https://coord.info/BMBP0J4

https://coord.info/BMBP0MT

https://coord.info/BMBP0ND

https://coord.info/BMBP2BN

https://coord.info/BMBP0K3

https://coord.info/BMBP0M6

https://coord.info/BMBP2JX

https://coord.info/BMBP2MB

https://coord.info/BMBP2HT

https://coord.info/BMBP2MG

https://coord.info/BMBP2NF

https://coord.info/BMBP2NN

https://coord.info/BMBP2QD

 

I know it's a lot to wade through.  I tried to make it as regional as possible, but there was overflow beyond the 1000 cache limit in some cases so I either split it up by year or stuck them in the catch all is "Everything Else" which includes most of the rest of the world as well.

[+antlerridgeroad]

What an incredible amount of work, this is something that will be of tremendous help for people like me who try to find Charter Member caches on my travels.  Thanks for your hard work.  

[+MNTA]

Went from 1 away to 7 away. 

[+hzoi]

On 11/4/2022 at 1:43 PM, bigcall said:

The new challenge checker is in place now, so the task is a little harder.

 

It seems so! I went from qualified to needing 6. Good thing I already logged a find on your Nifty 50. 

[+The Wombles]

I enjoyed reading this thread and was amused to discover that despite being a Charter member, I’m a long way off qualifying for a Bigcall Challenge never mind actually finding one. There are very few Charter members left on this (UK) side of the pond.

[+antlerridgeroad]

I have been trying to get Charter Member caches when we travel, and currently have caches by 84 current CMs, of which four caches have been archived, but those still count.  My own personal goal would be to get to 100 active caches by current CMs, but that may not be possible as caches get archived faster than I can find new CMs, especially as their numbers decline.   I have a list with a total of 105 caches, but that includes caches by some who, I believe, were CMs at the time I logged them but no longer are.   But I have no way of being certain of whether the COs were still CMs at the time we logged them.  I just know they were CMs when we started planning (2019) our trip (finally in 2022) from WA to the East Coast, delayed due to Covid.  Since this involves my own personal goal, it doesn't really matter I guess, whether I actually have 100 or not. 

 

I wouldn't expect the geocheckers to try to incorporate this information, but somehow it would be nice to get a list of the former CMs and when the lost that status.  Is that possible?  I know that the challenge cache that Moun10Bike has allows alternate methods for showing qualifications in addition to the geochecker, and having the list of when CMs lost that status would help some people qualify.  

 

 

[+Ltljon]

On 10/19/2022 at 12:22 AM, MNTA said:

 

Personally I agree with previous comments. The challenge should be finds of cachers that WERE charter members not that their current status is charter. But  I suppose that is not up to me.

 

I try to catch up with this topic sometimes & I'm not sure if the challenge has been changed or not. Why not set the requirements to say 15 years or 20 years for Charter Member requirements? It would suck to get close & then a CM quit & cause you to be chasing again!