I spent two years as a member of one of these unfriendly groups, and even tried to join the board. That went so badly that I quit before my year was up and have never gone back.
The only plus to it was the vendors there, since there are no quilt shops I could sometimes pick up bits and pieces that I needed. There were also giveaways by some very generous people who got drapery samples. I liked seeing some of the members' quilts, but it wasn't worth the high cost of joining.