I absolutely agree with onebyone. Keep in mind that during the time you have been away, you have changed, also. Maybe this time around you can be more tolerant of know it alls and quilt police. Either remember that a soft answer turns away wrath or, if you are more inclined, give them back as good as they send. Either way have fun. froggyintexas

I would definitely try going as a guest and talk to some of the ladies there. I have the same problem facing me.

I don't belong to a guild but do have a small group I attend and have experienced some of the same problems. IMHO - you can give it another try and if nothing's changed, then bow out. If others are like-minded have you thought of starting up another guild? I have no idea of the process to do so...just throwing it out there. I know I do enjoy sharing my enjoyment in quilting/sewing with others folks of the same mind.

Terri D. I understand about limiting sewing groups. I meet with 3 other ladies in our homes once a month for a little sew time. Four is the perfect size for our dining room tables, each one of us bring a lunch item. Other friends in our Guild have hinted about joining us but it causes too much trouble. Suddenly we are into extra tables, extra food, extra conversations, someone feels left out so it adds to more people. We don't have a name for our group, but we do function like a small bee. I think the term "Guild" often is used for "Bee". To me a Guild is where you go for information and a Bee is where you go for sewing. But that's just my interpretation.

I belong to two guilds. Neither are perfect but I love to be a part of them. Learn lots, laugh lots, and enjoy the opportunity to have something in common with other women. I love our workdays because there is no business meeting. The numbers are less attending and everyone at workday comes to work.

Feeling pressured to add another person is why my small monthly group folded. The person doing the pressuring brought her without asking even though we had said no more (privately esp this person). We closed for the summer to let this drop and it never started again. Now some of them are meeting again, but I was not included. I have tried to get to the bottom of this as has my best friend who was not included either. I overheard one of the group discussing the fact that the uninvited guest was causing problems in the new group, which is the very reason no one wanted to include her in the first place. Yes this sounds just like junior high! If I did anything wrong I truly don't know what it was. Will I ever put myself in this position again? No. I have never been so hurt in my life.

I've been in the same local guild since 1994. I started out by becoming really involved and loved every minute of it. However during the past five years or so my perspective has changed a lot. Mostly it's because of changes in my life, health, new interests (my foster beagles), and increased family responsibilities. However some is due to changes in the guild itself; it's become very large, almost 200 members. Members want to do lots of things but don't necessarily want to participate in accomplishing them. When they do they very often just want to do their own thing in total disregard of guild bylaws or anything else. I don't have the patience or the temperament to deal with situations like this any more so my way forward has been to keep the membership, attend when something really interests me and to avoid the politics whenever possible. (When I can't, it's well known that I'm not terribly concerned about whether or not the other members like what I'm saying, if I speak up it's because there is either a real problem or the potential for one that can harm the guild). Even though I don't participate on a monthly basis, I've made some wonderful friends through the guild. Some I see only when I attend; others I see or talk to often.

You will never know whether or not this guild is for you unless you make the effort to check it out. The only person to whom you owe any explanation of your final decision is yourself. Think through ahead of time what is and what is not acceptable and go from there. I hope it works out well whatever you decide. Joyce in Delaware

"Members want to do lots of things but don't necessarily want to participate in accomplishing them."

This is so true for a lot of groups and organizations. "Here's an idea, now you do it so I can enjoy it"

Perfect opportunity for you to start your own group and invite only those whose company you truly enjoy!! :)

I rejoined my current guild again 3 years ago, it was a great idea for me. I'm a charter member and helped start my guild. I left because the president and her friend were micro-managers and was driving everyone batty. Our current president is lovely and very sweet. The ladies in the guild are very nice and welcoming.
Sharon