Do you have to pay to be a member for Virtual Villagers?

No. Search "play virtual villagers (add a specific game if you'd like, but as far as I can tell the first virtual villagers and virtual villagers 2: the lost children, are the only ones you can play free, with limits) online for free". There are a few sites (shockwave is one) that will let you play a limited version for free, and you can buy the full version for $6.99, if I remember correctly. The full version gives you unlimited access to the entire game and better graphics.

Actually, there isn't any such thing as being a "member" of Virtual Villagers, since it is just a game (created by Last Day of Work). But you do have to either pay for the full version or download it somewhere, but as far as I've seen you only get a demo if you download it.