wichypoo

I visited as a guest three times to the guild I belong to now. It is quite large with 30+ members. At first I felt a chill. But I am persistant. I thought I had to be asked to join and said something about it after meeting to President and she made a announcement then and there that anyone could join anytime .Many of the group spoke to me after that about me
being silly and thinking that ,"your one of us already". Sweet .
there are still "snobby" members but I have become one of the group. I love the interaction, show and tell , bus trips. I would truly miss it. You 'll find you fit in this one or maybe another.
I tend to be enthusiastic and that makes up for my lack of qulting gift. Good luck.
Karen :-D

ddrobins1956

My guild in New Smyrna, FL is just wonderful. I can't say enough good things about this group of ladies. This is my first year, but I didn't feel new after the first meeting. I was invited to join a carpool from the neighborhood where some of us live at the first meeting. There is always a group that stays for lunch after the meeting, since we meet at a Legion Hall. As far as paying dues, I feel that I got my dues back, ten fold. We have education every month with speakers and classes and rarely have to dish out any of our own money. We meet weekly on Tuesday mornings. If any of you are in the New Smyrna, Port Orange, Daytona Beach area, please consider the Pelican Bay Piecemakers guild. I'm so glad that I found this guild.

quilting.addict

Hi, we had Priscilla Hair come and give her program at our guild. She is soooo talented (see her website http://www.priscillaehair.com/Landscapes.aspx). and an absolute hoot of a lady. I laughed until I cried!! Anyway, she tells the story of when she was first quilting and didn't know any other quilters. She went to the library and asked if she could rent a room. When she told them her purpose, they said she could have it for free. So she ran an ad in the local paper saying anyone interested in quilting and hanging out with other quilters should come to the library on such and such a date. Thirty some women showed up!!Ta Da!! a quilting group. You know they don't have to be a non-profit, certified guild to be fun and effective!! I suggest that if you do this, you mention in your ad you want people with interest in fiber arts of all kinds!!
Jeannie in GA

Lucille A

I had the same problem when I changed locations. What I did was run a free add in the classified section of a local paper. It said, I want to form a small quilting group in this area. If you are interested, please contact me (my name and phone number) were listed.

I got several calls from interested people, and we decided to meet at a local restaurant near where we live. I scouted the area for a small room to meet. We met for a while at a small local quilt shop. Then I asked a local bank about their "Civic Room". They were happy to let us use the room free of charge. We just have to be sure we schedule when we need the room. They have tables, chairs, and it is very, very nice.

Lucille A

Your work is beautiful.

Roberta

I had a similar experience although the members were nice, my neighbor who invited me was nice until a friend from work came to the group and then she didn't say another word to me. Since she was my ride home, I was stuck. I never went again nor accepted her offer to join a more "prestigeous" group. Oh my, I can imagine how uncomfortable I would have been with that group. :-)

Gramakitten

WOW--12 pages of this topic. As a guild president I am paying close attention to what is being said here. We try to acknowledge new people. We try to have open discussion that will let new and old members have a say and a part. I will really try to pay close attention to the comments that have been made here and take them to our board meeting.

quilting.addict

I am glad to see your post!! You are in a position to do something to improve a situation like this first poster stumbled into. I was thinking about my big guild and how hard it is to know who is new or just who you hadn't noticed before. Maybe a cute birthday crown like they get for little girls party favors, could be worn by visitors and new members. Now if you can pass by a lady wearing a plastic crown and not speak...shame on you!! you are a snob and need to get your priorities straight!! My husband says all quilters are nice people...well, maybe not...but they should be!!

Lucille A

Amen. the plastic crown is a great idea!!!!! or a gold star, or something. Most of the quilters I know are wonderful people. But, especially in a big guild, new comers do not stand out. As part of our program in our little guild, the membership person makes a report on attendance, and introduces any visitor and asks them to stand up, so everyone will know them, and can greet them at the break.

quilting.addict

Trust me on this one...I have tried to keep an eye on the people introduced as visitors or new members, so that I can speak during break...believe me in a room full of over 100 women, I have yet to be able and track one down, as they all dash to the food table!! I still say, crown 'em!! LOL