We exchanged at our meeting each month. Those who wanted to participate brought a square, the first month we had to use a square in our border, the next month a triangle, the next month applique and this last month we could do anything we wanted. But the rules that are generally the same are that you bring a square, it passes to another person each month until you are finished.
We cheated. We had the person whose block it was put their heads down and everyone else saw the progress each month. Usually you all wait until the end. But it just shows that you can make up your own rules.