I belong to a guild that has a membership of about 50. But
average attendance each month would be in the high 30's.
Those who serve on the board, serve a 2 yr. term and each
year 1/2 half of them start a new term. Is that clear??..I
mean every two years we do not have everybody new at once.
When it is time to re-elect "whatever' they ask for volunters..if there are none, the nominating committee tries
to figure out someone that might be interested, if asked.
I was a charter member of this guild in the 80's, and after
2 or 3 years returned to work and was unable to go as we meet in the daytime. However, when I retired 10 years ago
I jumped right back in. There are only a very few of us
who were charter members who are still there..and that being
because so many have passed on.
But..this is the most diversified group you could find.
We have members from a number of really small towns, and
we are thrilled that we have gained so many new members and
some are young..several of us 75 yrs plus and we have one
wonderful lady that is over 90..never misses a meeting.
We have a tendency to go to the same area to sit each month, but if you joined in at any table everyone and anyone
would be made welcome. Guests are introduced at the start
of each meeting. We have people who are able to spend for
anything they want, and we have those on a much tighter
budget...but nobody cares, everyone has something to contribute. If we were not a friendly and 'fun' group we
would have died out (literally) years ago. We have one
or two 'high priced' people for the program a couple times
a year. Other times we have one or two more experienced
members who will do a program on a certain technique..i.e...
machine applique, hand applique, art quilts,..etc. Then we
usually can find people within say a 30 mile radius that
can do a great trunk show. Also, we invite various quilt
shop owners 2 or 3 times a yr for programs. They usually
come up with something interesting, and it gives them a
chance to get a little recognition for their business.
I hope you all can find a similar group, surely our group
is not the only one that loves new members.