copycat

Our guild has bylaws for programs/classes that pertain to the cost of any program over $100, must be voted on by guild members present at the meeting. The majority rules. We have an upcoming program on dying fabrics presented at a local quilt shop.
We have had a color theory class presented by a member. Our members donate their time to present programs and aren't paid.
We have a Nov. social where we bring covered dishes and enjoy our quilty friendships. We just had a Christmas in July meeting where we made no sew Christmas ornaments using fabric. I would say the ornaments aren't True quilting projects, but involve fabric, which all quilters like.

aashley333

Our guild does have presentations that are not strictly quilting. Our presenter, today, in fact, will tell/show us about Kantha stitching, which I had to Google. I am waiting to see if I want to sign up for tomorrow's workshop.
"August 15 Workshop: Create a Cosmetic/Small Tool Bag UP DATE: The workshop cost has gone up to 20.00 due to some extras in the kit. You will have a choice between two color pallets. Kit fee is payable to pre-senter on the day of the Workshop."
I enjoy learning new things. Of course, my favorite part of guild meetings is Show and Tell from members.
There are only 12 meetings per year, and some don't even have a presenter. We organize a workday for charity stuff; one meeting involves a sewing-bingo game/social.
100% quilting seems limiting to the possibilities. You never know how you may incorporate a new skill into a new quilt!

Lena1952

Since the majority of my guild classes are taught by members we are paid $50 for a half day class and $100 for an all day class. If you haven’t taught a class, you have no idea the time involved prior to class. Since we appreciate and encourage members to teach, paying them helps. Once a year we have a well know, or outside instructor. If the cost is too high for our budget, we share this person with another local guild that meets a few days before our meeting. Often it isn’t the class fee, but the travel expenses that make the class too costly and by sharing this is divided. Our programs are mostly quilt related but we also have a few that are not. Our dues were just raised after 20 years to $40 per year. And our class fees were raised as well to $30. I find it a good deal for what we gain in learning and companionship.

crzypatcher

That $25 to $50 may be the difference between someone on Social Security from being able to belong to a group they come to for friendships.

ktbb

our guild standard is "can this technique be used on fabric, therefore potentially in a quilt? If the answer is yes, we include it in our planning. In the past our senior members have "policed" the topics and were vocal on whether it was really quilting or not. The outside teachers who we pay to come in are limited to those who teach actual quilting techniques and not "could be" topics.

Onebyone

That $25 to $50 may be the difference between someone on Social Security from being able to belong to a group they come to for friendships.

Could be but doubtful. $2 plus a few cents per meeting is practically free. The $50 fee won't pay room rent for a year but will help. We depend on fundraising and that is getting difficult. Most of the younger members say we didn't join to have a job Ugh.

BonnieJP

Annual membership dues for my guild are $35. Workshop classes by "famous" quilters vary in price. The big money maker for the guild is the quilt show every other year. The guild sells all kinds of donated items at the show such as orphan blocks, fabric, quilted items, rulers, books, etc. I bought a light box that had been donated at the last show.

WMUTeach

My group is not officially a guild but along standing group of about 45-50 members. Our dues are $20 per year and have been since I joined in 2008. I am surprised the fee hasn't increased. The cost for our two 3-day retreats has nearly doubled, thus I am guessing our leaders are doing everything possible to keep the over all cost reasonable by not increasing
membership fees.

b.zang

I belong to two guilds, one very small and one slightly larger. The small group only meets twice a month and does not bring in instructors. Members volunteer to demonstrate (teach) techniques but it is done very informally and not everyone pays attention. This bugs me!

The larger group meets weekly and once a month a member will demonstrate a technique or someone will come in and teach a technique. When we bring someone in there may be a small cost involved. We also bring in more well-known teachers but not on guild days so those classes are on weekends and open to the public with a smaller cost for guild members. The member demonstrations have included non-quilty items such as rope bowls and oven mitts. At Christmas time we made fabric ornaments. I'd say the workshop days that focus on quilting techniques are more popular than the others.