Like most others here, I pay only an annual membership fee ($20). There are occassional classes offered which are a separate fee. Generally these are taught by members and cost $5 per person. Once every several years, we have a "well known" person come in; there is generally a small fee to participate.
We do, as a group, an opportunity quilt. Materials are purchased by the guild, all members are asked to assemble at least one block, more if they are able. The organizing committee takes care of basting & quilting (which may be donated by a member who is a long-armer OR hand quilted by members). We are all asked to sell tickets, both individually and at a venue in half-hour shifts (we sell them at a street festival and at a local produce/craft/flea market set up one weekend). There is no monetary cost to members. For the most part, the assembly and selling of the tickets, we try to help out as we can to benefit others, but we do not have to.
If costs are getting to be too much - if members are being asked to give money, etc. - I'd suggest looking for alternatives, including forums such as this. Great info, lots of good people, etc.