I don't belong to the local guild and have been "afraid" to even attend a meeting. I'm a very new quilter and I've seen quilts and/or photos of quilts that come from these folks at the guild......just don't have enough confidence to go yet.
I would be greatly offended if the local guild didn't have room for me to join but wanted me to go on retreat !!!! I for certain wouldn't go on a retreat with a bunch of people that I didn't know, or probably wouldn't want to get to know !