A very large guild that I belonged to in Oregon had a "free table" before the meeting. People brought sewing things that they didn't want, and everyone could pick up whatever they wanted. There were usually 3-4 long tables just covered with fabric scraps, magazines, books, patterns, etc. (but mostly fabric scraps). It was a great place to socialize before the meeting. Someone would say that she was looking for green, or for daisies, or for kid's fabric, and everyone else would help her look. It was interesting how one person would pass over a fabric, while someone else would love it.
Any kind of meeting where a member shows a technique seems to be a winner. But I agree that show and tell is the best part of any meeting.
If it's a smaller guild, you might also consider going somewhere together, whether to a fabric shop, a quilt show, or just out to lunch. Having fun brings all the members closer together.