"I do feel that membership should have its advantages."

Surely.... other message boards only let members post.... Some only let members start new threads... Some have a members only posting section... some grant contributing members custom avatars or sig files or an expanded 'membership profile'... Some give members further discounts or freebies on web-site merchandise (T-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers.... all that cafepress.com kinda crap)

Folkalley.com, for posting their banner sent me a WHACK of stickers, static clings, temp-tattoos, buttons and a t-shirt.... Just for putting their banner on my site....

Another way to support.... URL exchange.... I'd put a banner to Mudcat on my site, if Mudcat would put a banner to mine here.... (The more attention, the better, right)

That mutual support certainly adds to the sense of 'community' some here seem so keen on creating

"so that we need not worry about the lights going out"
Most folkies I've seen look their best in total darkness! LOL