quilt guild question.
 

I am wanting to join a local guild and was wondering if it is considered okay to just show-up to the meeting on Monday or should i contact them and get and "invitation" of sorts to join. I don't want to insult them by not going about "joining" in a proper way.

I just showed up by myself.

is it a generally accepted thing to just show up for a meeting?

I think it depends on the guild - some seem to be open to whoever wants to join and pay the dues -

I emailed first so I would be expected and so I would know if I should bring anything.

I waited for an invitation that never came so I just showed up. I went to a couple of meetings, felt welcomed, paid dues, then felt snubbed so I quit going. There were so many quilt police telling me what I should be doing. I found so much more acceptance and encouragement here.

You would be most welcome to just show up at our meeting but not every guild operates the same. We have a member posted at the door to meet and greet any guests and show them around. Our greeter then sits with the guest or finds them a friend to sit with at the meeting. If you're not sure how this guild operates try calling the membership chair or president and introduce yourself.

Not all guilds are open to new members, and some actually have a "application". One guild in my area is closed to new members, and only allow a new member if someone leaves. I would call or e- mail first.

Our guild is always looking for new members, as I think most are. There are a few out there that have
"quilt snobs" as members. My suggestion, if you know someone that is a member, call them, tell them you are interested in joining, and would like to go with them to the meeting as their guest for the day. Then you can see if it the group you would like to join.

I just showed up at a meeting. It never occurred to me that new people might not be welcome. It turns out, our guild welcomes all newcomers. I think our guild expects one to pay dues after two or so meetings, however. The dues are low, and you get much value for your $$.

Just show up......they'll let you know what is expected. Our guild loves guests.

I belong to 3 guilds and all welcome new members. However some guilds do limit their membership, based on many factors - space in the meeting place, specific areas of interest, professional vs. amateur status, desire not to grow, etc. All are legitimate reasons IMHO. Before I joined the last guild, a couple of weeks ago, I checked with a member to see if they were accepting new members, and before I knew it I had been invited to their annual new member orientation, which just happened to be on the next meeting night, so things worked out really well. The guild you're interested in may have a web page that explains their policy, or if not then you might be able to ask a member. Otherwise, I would just show up and ask at the door whether the guild is accepting new members.

A friend and I just showed of at the guild I'm in. You can go to two "free" meetings and then you are expected to pay your yearly fee and join.

Our guild always welcomes new members, and it never occurred to me that a quilt guild wouldn't. That said, sometimes we do come close to having to restrict new members because fire regulations limit the number of people who are permitted to be in the room at one time. It hasn't happened yet, though. I agree with dunster: see if you can contact someone in advance via a webpage, and if not, just show up and inquire at the door. Our group is very informal; nothing is "required" of members, everything is voluntary. But of course, there are bound to be as many different types of guilds as there are flavors of ice cream, so you just have to see if the atmosphere and ideas of the group are something you would enjoy being a part of. Good luck and have fun! I hope you find a room full of new "sisters", like I did!

Usually a group of quilters will form a group and call it a guild and they make the rules how they want their group to be. There is no set guild guidelines to be called a guild. I belong to a four guilds. One is very community minded. One is more for learning and holding workshops, one limits the amount of members, one is free for any one who wants to show up and several of us are forming a new group that will be for going on retreats only. I like them all and each one has pros and cons. To get to your question, all of the guilds I'm in, a newbie just shows up and says here I am.

If the guild has a web site, check it out. That might answer your questions. Our guild is open to anyone, and we don't require advance notice of a visit by someone new. If membership is limited in this guild, though, that information should be on the web site.

My guild (I just resigned as president... my term was up) greets visitors warmly, and is a warm, friendly group, but we are capped at 50 members. We will willingly put someone on a waiting list, and we do have people come and go thru out the year due to family situations and jobs. I agree with most of the posters... just show up, and hope for a good outcome. If you do have contact info, I probably would do that, just because I am a bit OCD about things... Good luck!

Most areas large enough to have a guild are also large enough to have a local quilt store nearby. Ask the shop if they know the guild's regulations; it's possible some of their teachers are guild members and could take you as a guest. I've been a member of eight different guilds in different states over the years and every one of them welcomed guests.

Jan in VA

The local guild has an announcement in the paper every month of where their meeting will be and says everyone is welcome. My aunt moved to a rather large area and called about their guild. She was told she could not attend a single meeting without first paying a full year's dues. Needless to say, she didn't join.

You would be welcome to just show up at my local guild. There is a membership desk near the door where members sign in and visitors are greeted. They give newcomers information and introduce them to the group. They also take ask them if they are interested in connecting with the various small groups that meet outside of the main guild meeting and put them in touch with people in those groups. I joined but they didn't push me. It's only $25 per year. Some meetings there is a $3 guest fee if it is a national speaker that they paid.

It is okay to just show up. When I went to my first guild meeting there was a greeter at the door and it was a very welcoming experience.
peace

Our Guild advertises meeting times to reach those folks who we have not met yet. Come on, we are glad to have you come and visit.

My guild too. President usually asks if there are any newcomers or guests at our meetings as we want them to feel welcomed. I attended several meetings before deciding to join.

LQS has a table near the door with info about guilds and shop hops, retreats etc. several of the quilds have business size invitation cards with a map and meeting day - time info. like 18th century 'at home cards' except they do not say 'tea will be served' LOL

If you have a contact number for the guild president or a membership person, should they be that large, give them a call and introduce yourself. My group is on the small side less than 40, and folks just drop in. There is another guild in town that is 300 plus and they have a membership chair, but are warm, welcoming and you can drop in or look at their website and choose to just come to special speakers or any of the smaller "sub groups" who are working on special projects or techniques. Quilters are generally real kind folk, join them.

Guess i live in the wrong part of the country guilds here are all snobbish

Some for me!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have found out that the guild is getting so small,and they are in a reel need for new members.[or old menbers to come back] gee I can't think y.

I just showed up 10 years ago and I'm really glad I did. It might take a couple of meetings to feel comfortable (and that was more because of some shyness on my part than anything else), but most guilds in our area welcome visitors and go out of their way to make newbies feel welcomed.

You can just show up sign in as a guest. usually they will let you come free a couple times then you can join if you like. after getting in the guild you can join a bee they meet different times of the month. there are 10 in my bee and sometimes we sew and sometimes we just chat.

ours is always open to new members and after two meetings yu have to join. never knew some were closed to new members.

I agree that you should just show up. Be prepared with your questions. It is good to scope out the situation. and it may take a few meetings to see if it is a good fit. I love this board, but the guild experience has been the best thing for my skill and interest development. Seeing well done quilts in person and asking questions of the quilters is so valuable. I am so happy that the guilds I have belonged to have been accepting of me and my quilting level.

Dayle

If you know a member, ask what are the guild's requirements for membership. Most of the ones I know are open to anyone, and do have a member at the door to either sign you up as a member, or give you a one meeting pass. A few of the smaller guilds can have strange requirements, but that is rare. You learn a lot in a guild, and it is a great place to make great 'quilt' friends.

How did you find out about it? If someone told you, call that person and ask how to join. If you saw a poster or an ad, just show up.

Just show up and asked if they have room for one more. You will be welcomed with open arms, bet ya.

I just went to my first guild meeting last night. I just showed up and they greeted me warmly. Got someone to show me around and sat with me to answer any questions that I had. This particular meeting was a pot luck so I got dinner too. LOL. This guild's membership goes from June to June so it was the last meeting for the year. So there was no speaker but lots of celebrations with presenting the President with a quilt made by all members, etc. I think that if you found a guild that did not want to have visitors show up may be because they can only accomodate so many members in their meeting place and they are already full. Nice for them I guess. The one I went to consider themselves small and their was probably 35 people there. This guild is only $25 dollars a year too and I knew that they charge $3 for visitors but because it was the last meeting, I got to attend for free.

Our guild gets them both ways. We take everyone and welcome new people with open arms. If they have info out there on how to contact them, then I might drop an email, but if not, just go!! Ours is wonderful! Its been a fabulous experience for me!

Show up, if the guild is an open one. That is what I did. I have always felt welcome. Go for it Girl, enjoy the guild.

I don't know about other guilds -- but the 2 that I belong to think that it is great when someone new "just shows up" and what a great way to meet new people with the same interest that you have

Contact information for a guild in Blue Springs, MO is on this page: http://www.quiltguilds.com/missouri.htm

The site is pretty comprehensive and has information on guilds worldwide.

It varies. I heard of an Arizona guild that is invitation only and refuses snow birds. My guild welcomes everyone, quilter or not. Some visitors have come hoping for an opportunity quilt for a cause (They usually get it.) Some come in hopes of learning to sew. Everyone is welcome. Our $5 annual dues includes the use of our LA. and unlimited instruction. If there is someone to call, however, I would.