I joined one a couple of years ago.they didn't want new members to enter any contests for awhile because they thought it was unfair that one of the new members might win a quilt or wallhanging that they didn't work on.BUT they were pushing membership! I never felt comfortable there and I was never sought out for friendship either. I introduced myself to everyone I could get ahold of so I wouldn't seem rude, but no one seemed to care about welcoming the new members. I never renewed my membership and I heard that the old president moved and there was another one, but I am afraid to step back into that kind of situation if things haven't changed.
Sorry to hear about your situation, tho. Mine wasn't as bad as yours, but it did make me realize that I don't need those kinds of people in my life, and I certainally didn't need the stress I felt at every meeting.