This thread breaks my heart: many years ago, when my younger child was an infant sleeping in a stroller I was asked to leave two different local shops cause "you won't have time and it's too difficult, we don't allow kids" variations on that anyhow. So I went home and got a book on Amazon and went to JAF and taught myself. Later in a class two older ladies made several rude comments about the college-age shopper, basically shamed her out. We need to encourage and pass on, nobody lives forever. I understand now why I was always the youngest by decades in the few classes I took. :(

LOL, I'd love it if the age limit was under a 65. It seems most guilds are made up of old cranky women. That's why I don't join anymore.

Awww really? We are not all cranky. :)
I am 61 and in a sewing group with a bestie who is young enough to be my daughter and another bestie who is 84 and I love both dearly.
When I first joined my guild I was the young one. It's been over 25 years now and I have loved every second of every year that I have been a member :)

you just have have not found your people yet - don't give up ❤

I am still searching for a guild that will talk about news, politics, science and all subjects dealing with quilts, fabric, and the arts . The ones I have visited as a guest, which has been a rare occurrence (professional working full time) dwell on adult kids, grandkids, medications, aches and pain - all of which I have nothing in common to share. Lol
i won't give up yet trying to find a guild that meets on a Saturday.

[QUOTE=lovelyl;7746204]My guild is in the process of updating the bylaws that deal with membership and I was wondering if any of your guilds have an age limit for guild membership. We are trying to avoid having members bring young children/ teens to the meetings and sew days simply because they could not find a babysitter, which has started happening. Some members are very bothered by this and don't think it is appropriate for children to be at the meetings and fear it will become too disruptive.
Do any of your guilds' bylaws address this and state a minimum age for membership? Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated![/QUOTE
Our by-laws state that our mtgs will be: Fragrance Free, Cell Phone Free, and Children Free, but no age is listed.

I agree--and SO grateful that the Guild I belong to is fine with members bringing a child (and if someone does they are always respectful of keeping the child quiet) and we actively encourage children that have an interest (which seems to be about 10yr--then there's a gap during the teens/20's when their lives get much more busy--then they sometimes return to quilting late 20's/30's). I'm also grateful that when there have been some "people" issues for whatever reason, the leadership has dealt privately with the parties involved so the matter does not become divisive in the guild. While our workshops are usually filled with members (limited by space and electrical plug ins)there have been times when members will bring a child that actually sews. and that has worked out ok, too.

Bad behavior has no age limit. Not sure that I would actually put an age limit in the bylaws. If there is a behavioral prolem...quietly deal with it. If a Guild is covered by an insurance policy that sets parameters for liability coverage...that is another topic. IMHO.

SANDY

I don't see the problem being age as much as it is lack of supervision and consideration by parents.

I go to 2 different groups. One can get off topic into local politics but they are a very prolific group of quilters. The other group has too many women who either don't quilt at all ( they come for the fellowship ), or are not productive. I find frustration with both. We have had the occasional grandkids but nothing disturbing.

instead of making a age limit just inform the members that only they are supposed to attend