"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message

Why do people talk about being a member of a
newsgroup? I read several, but I don't consider
myself a member of any newsgroup any more than I
consider myself a member of a newspaper that read
or a member of a grocery store where I buy
groceries even if I do talk to the clerks.

Because to the greatest extent, you don't contribute much to a newspaper or
a grocery store aside from a little money. A newsgroup you partake in it's
activities by leaving messages as you are right now.