i've met with members from the board and it's quite fun. one quilter is an hour and a half away, but we have a whole lot of fun when we get together! so i try to get there about once a week. it's good for both of us. she knows some other quilters in her area and we try to get them to come over, too. sue has a bunch of machines and a great styudio and it's a party just waiting to happen!
sometimes it's just a matter of timing. i was invited to a quilter's home and to meet her guild, but i was about to have dental surgery and didn't want to appear in front of strangers toothless. another time a younger quilter and i met at an lqs and went on to do a mini-shop hop. shortly after she had a personal disaster, and even tho' i had nothing to do with it, seeing me would bring back her heartache. you never know what factors cause hesitation, and so often they have nothing to do with you personally.