Please don't let negative remarks turn you off of a guild or group. Even if someone else doesn't like a group, it doesn't mean you won't. Different people enjoy different things about getting together with a guild.
I belong to the guild closest to my home, but I have visited all of the guilds in my area. We have approximately 80 members and we welcome beginners who want to learn to quilt. We are not an official guild so we don't have to conduct our business meeting at the guild meeting. We have the business meeting on a different day, but anyone who wants to come is welcome.
Some guilds are not teaching guilds and want only experienced members. You just need to find the right group to meet your needs. If you don't like one, try another.
Raptureready, Your LQS/retreat center sounds great. I wish one of our LQSs did that.