Expiration & Grace Period
This guide explains what happens if your membership expires and how the grace period works.
Membership Expiration Timeline
Active → Renewal Window → Deadline Missed → Grace Period → Expired
(Dec 1-Jan 31) (Feb 1) (30 days) (Mar 1)The Grace Period
If you don't renew by January 31, your membership enters a 30-day grace period from February 1-28.
During Grace Period
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Account access | Available |
| Dashboard access | Available |
| Voting rights | Suspended |
| New proposals | Cannot create |
| Renewal | Still possible |
Grace Period Reminders
You'll receive urgent reminders:
- February 1 - Grace period begins notification
- February 14 - Mid-grace reminder
- February 21 - Final week warning
- February 26 - Last chance notice
Renewing During Grace Period
To renew during the grace period:
- Log in to your account
- You'll see a prominent "Grace Period" warning
- Click "Renew Now"
- Complete payment
- Membership is immediately restored
After renewing during grace period:
- Your voting rights are restored
- Your membership continues without interruption in history
- New expiration date is December 31 of the current year
After Grace Period Expires
If you don't renew by February 28, your membership expires on March 1.
What You Lose
- Voting rights
- Ability to participate in governance
- Access to member-only features
- Your Membership NFT becomes inactive
What You Keep
- Your account and login credentials
- Access to view public information
- Your membership history (for records)
Rejoining After Expiration
If your membership expires, you'll need to rejoin as a new member:
- Log in to your existing account
- Start the rejoin process from your dashboard
- Verify your identity - KYC may need to be re-verified
- Pay the membership fee - prorated if mid-year
- Receive new Membership NFT - your old NFT remains inactive
Rejoining vs. Renewing
| Renewal | Rejoining | |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | Dec 1 - Feb 28 | After Mar 1 |
| KYC | Not required | May be required |
| Fee | Full $25 | Prorated by month |
| Process | Simple payment | Full signup flow |
Preventing Expiration
To avoid the hassle of rejoining:
- Set a calendar reminder for December 1
- Keep your email updated to receive reminders
- Renew early - don't wait until January 31
- Check your spam folder for reminder emails
Common Questions
Q: Will I lose my voting history if I expire? No, your voting history is permanently recorded on the blockchain and tied to your account.
Q: Can I get an extension on the grace period? No, the grace period is fixed at 30 days. Please renew within this timeframe.
Q: If I rejoin, do I get my original member number back? Yes, your account and member ID remain the same. Only your Membership NFT is re-issued.
Q: What if I have financial hardship? Contact support@helloworlddao.com to discuss mutual aid options that may be available.
Getting Help
If you're in the grace period or have expired membership:
- Email: support@helloworlddao.com
- Include your member ID
- Describe your situation
Our support team can help guide you through the renewal or rejoining process.