I have NEVER been to a guild meeting that made a guest PAY to attend....most guilds allow 2 free getting to know US meetings before they ask you to pay membership.
I have belonged to many guilds over the years and currently belong to the worst one ever in the history of quilt guilds. They give a whole new meaning to words "outsiders are not welcome"! Most of the people I get to know in the guild do not come back after 3-4 months....they can feel the lack of care/warmness and would rather forfeit their dues than keep coming back to listen to yet another trunk show while noshing on junk food!
Having said that, I do belong to 3 other guilds in the state and 2 down in TX and they are all different, but way better than my only local guild!