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Quote:

Originally Posted by jgriinke

Give guilds a chance. I am currently president of our guild, for the second time. I do ask if there are any visitors or new members present at every business meeting. I may expand that to have that new person tell us about themselves.
I try to talk to the new person after the meeting is over, but they have usually dissapeared by the time I am done with my duties.
Give it more than just one meeting to try. I do feel that we try to make any new person welcome, but that person needs to make an effort also. We are all there because of our love of quilting. Most quilters are caring and generous people, give us a chance. ;-)

I tried to "fit in" for over six months at the guild I once joined. If cliques don't want you, they just don't want you, and have their ways of letting you know it. After the fact, I felt really stupid for trying for so long. Why did it take me six months to figure it out and get out of there? After reading some of the posts here, I feel better knowing I was not alone in my horrible experience. Misery loves company, they say! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeroom

I thought about joining the local guild. Visited for an evening with one of my best friends and my mom. We all left with the same feeling of non-acceptance. The women who ran the guild, skipped over us when it came to show and tell time, when clearly we had finished projects and WIP's on lap and in hands ready to show. When we raised our hands throughout the course of the night, we were ignored. Not one woman greeted us or said one word to us all night, 2-3 hours!

I don't really want to make a long drive to find a guild where I'm accepted and belong.

PS-none of us had any deformities and we all bathe regularly.

I went to a quilt guild meeting one time and the exact same thing happened to me. It was like I was invisible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaBoo

I belong to two guilds, one small and one very big one. I like the bigger one better for the high profile teachers that guild can afford to bring in for workshops and programs. I enjoy quilt workshops. I learn something from every one. The smaller guild is more a show and tell group as the elderly members will not vote to spend any money on anything. Honestly, thousands of dollars in the bank and they think it has to be saved? For what? LOL.

I am one of the older members of a small guild that has a great mix of old, middle and young and not once have I ever heard an older member object to paying for having a specialist come to the guild for a regular meeting or a workshop. The larger guild to which I also belong also has a number of older members and none of them object to spending money for programs. Why don't you try locating some experts and see what they will cost and try to pry some money out of the group? You might be surprised! froggyintexas

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimmieH

ijust joined one this year.....still trying to decide if its for me !

I have just started goign to a local one and not sure yet what I think, hard part is my health and the constant migraines get int he way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthPStitches

Just curious. All you quilters out there, are you involved in Guilds or pretty much keep your quilting a solitary thing? Was in a Guild for close to ten years but for various reasons, left the group, deciding I'd rather spend quiet time unwinding in my sewing room instead. Now that retirement is pending this year, I might reconsider.

I have been wanting to join one but haven't had the time. I hope that I'll be able to this winter when things will, hopefully slow down.

I'm on my own as I don't have anything close to me. I'm ok with it but some times I do wish I had some one to sew with. I do get a lot done by myself so that might be an up side of not being in a guild.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scissor Queen

I belong to three guilds. Two good size and one really small.

I will say it's nearly impossible to actually get to know people you only see 2 hours a month. Join in the activities and you'll get to know people a little better.

As to cliques, groups of friends sit together and visit with each other. So would you. As soon as you get to know some of them you'll be included because they're not really cliques, just groups of friends.

This is so right. It's hard at first, but put a smile on your face, say hi to others as you walk by and they will know you are a nice and friendly person. Make an effort and soon you will be part of the group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeroom

I thought about joining the local guild. Visited for an evening with one of my best friends and my mom. We all left with the same feeling of non-acceptance. The women who ran the guild, skipped over us when it came to show and tell time, when clearly we had finished projects and WIP's on lap and in hands ready to show. When we raised our hands throughout the course of the night, we were ignored. Not one woman greeted us or said one word to us all night, 2-3 hours! ...

PS-none of us had any deformities and we all bathe regularly.

LOVE your PS! You gals can come join one of the guilds I belong to any time & sit by me...I think we'd have a blast. The larger guild I belong to has over 400 members & we've got day & night meetings once a month (just so we can all fit in one place). We have programs & classes (of which 5 or 6 are national speakers/yr) snacks, show-n-tell, block of the month, fat 1/4 exchange, & door prizes. We also have overnight bus trips to great places & a couple of retreats a year & put on a quilt show in odd number years. The 2nd guild I belong to has around 100 members. We meet once a month & have snacks, programs & classes (maybe 1 national speaker/yr), retreats, door prizes & an occaisional bus trip. We also have a show in the even number years. Neither guild puts any pressure on you to really crank the quilts out & the more I get involved, the more fun I have. I also belong to a 'small group' where 6 of us get together about once a month. It takes us 2 years to make a wall hanging, but we're mainly together for each others cheap therapy session & eat great desserts.!! I also quilt with the gals from church where we make utility quilts for world relief. I LOVE all the groups I belong to & have met some great people, plus the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln is only an hour away. How cool is that!?

I've been to one for a while, but the lady that "leads" the guild was always pushing to make blocks or quilts for a case.
As nobody would react she started saying things like we were not socialized.
But a ot of quilts were made for good causes but we have our own work to, and I hate it to pe forced into something....it's my hobby not my work!!!!
Now I come together once a week or two weeks with my quiltfriend and once in a while we meet some other women, but on voluntary base

I belonged to a Guild 20 yrs ago (when I was first learning)and never felt welcomed except when it was time for the yearly quilt show. When they needed my DH and me for some of the work. I ended up quiting to spend more time with my family & working full time. Besides that there was to many Quilt Police there. Even through I didn't know that was what they were called then. :-) I have been quilting on my own on & off since.

I'm not against Guilds I just think it depends what you are looking for & finding the right one for you. Hopefully you find one in your area.
I found what I was looking for right here on the QB. :-D