cookiemonster

Our ManitobaCanada guild is 300+ members and the halls keep getting too small for the new joins. What I like about our guild is their huge and growing all the time tool, book library we can all benefit from created by members donations. Every mth they clear out the old book/magazines for under 50cents. Of course the show/tell is the highlight. Baby donation another good item.. We get vendors every year for our shopping pleasure. What I dislike is when other quilters with the fortune to own lovely machines and the satellite groups that can at times make me feel a little cheap and black sheep. Something I had to work around by vltr at the hospitality table to avoid issues some might have with myself.. I get to ride with someone when they are available so not alone, otherwise I save money for a taxis and it is my holiday event for the mth. I miss them during summer mths.

Brandonsnana

Unfortunately the guilds in my immediate area meet during the work day. I've met some of the members of one when the condo I manage had a quilting presentation including show and tell. They seemed very nice. The closest one with evening meetings turned me off before I even visited; the first year I attended a retreat hosted by a local quilt shop, the guild president said 'aren't you brave coming to an event by yourself'. Really? I would think she would have asked if I knew about their guild etc. and while I realize that people will usually gravitate to others they know - organizations should make an effort to reach out to new members/visitors. So I'd be looking for a medium sized group who are welcoming from the beginning, don't pressure you to lead/chair a committee etc until you feel comfortable.

Laurajbr

I have tried to join a quilt guild in my area, which I mentioned in another post. I have a slightly different issue in what I am looking for. I may look like everyone else in the quild, but as a gay woman, who lives in a very diverse community, it was really really uncomfortable to be in group meetings of 100 or more all white women, being consistently asked where my husband works, hearing concern expressed about a proposed venue as it is was perceived to be in an unsafe area, a few blocks from my home. (Many police friends have assured me the area is very low crime, but does have a large black population, i.e. Diverse)

If the group had been more friendly, had asked for feedback, or even just acknowledged they would like to increase their diversity of age, race, gender etc, I might have stuck it out, but it makes me feel distinctly uncomfortable to be in a public group that looks like it is self segregating. I know they are good and kind people, but not my cup of tea.

coopah

I look for friendliness, too, but have to remember that as a newcomer, I need to introduce myself and ask questions about the other person. There are probably cliques, but generally, if one goes up and asks someone a question about quilting or complements a project they've brought for Show and Tell, it opens communication.
My guild has bus trips, retreats, national speakers, a quilt show every other year and two meetings a month. There's a weekly sewing group that everyone can attend, but I am too busy to schedule it in...that's how to get to know others. One on one or in a small group. I do take almost every class offered, because there are always little nuggets of information. I hope you visit as many guilds as you can. Then decide.

quilttiger

There are quite a few guilds or groups in my area with different sizes, goals, agendas, and so on. Currently, I belong to a large guild which has a specific agenda for each monthly meeting, usually with a well known speaker, as well as committees. There is enough time provided for some socializing. Members are encouraged to help on committees but no one is made to feel bad if she does not want to be on a committee or hold an office. The best part are the "bees" which are much smaller groups with different purposes, such as piecing group, charity group, etc. Participation is not required. I belong to the piece lovers group and it is so fun. Our goal this year is to have fun with scraps.

The next group I joined is for longarm quilters but everyone is welcome. Approx. 10-12 ladies attend the 2-hour monthly meetings. A specific topic is provided each month for sharing ideas and tips along with shows and tells of all kinds. A very lovely and friendly group.

I recently joined a charity group which has no agenda, no dues and no bylaws. It is a very flexible group whose main goal is to make charity quilts for children (there are helpful guidelines) which are donated to over ten charities in the area. In 2015, over 1500 quilts were donated. I understand that machines do not have to be hauled in for sewing but the ladies can make as many as they want and bring them to the meetings. My first meeting was lovely, and the ladies made me feel very welcomed.

So if you are looking to join a group, try a couple meetings before deciding to join. Some groups will charge a guest fee to attend a meeting before you decide to join. It takes time for ladies to know you and time for you to know them. If you don't find one you like, try another group.

Onebyone

That is old biddyness talking. Most guilds have a few old biddys with tunnel vision. I've learned to ignore them, they don't contribute to me having a nice time.

mjhaess

I have tried a couple of guilds in my area. Both were very clicky. Everyone went off into their own little groups. Myself and another lady was sent off to a seperate room and given a quilt to baste for a cherity. We never seen anyone until it was time to go home. We never went back. I decided to spend time with a couple of really good friends once or twice a week. We sew and have a lot of fun. Forget the guilds. It us too bad that guilds have to be that way.

Onebyone

I would have raised my voice and said I don't know anyone and it seems that is the way you want to keep it so I'll be leaving you to your own company. There is no excuse for such rudeness.

oldtisme

I don't expect response to my posting as I am "one of THOSE Smoking people", I haven't joined any guilds as I'm sure that I would offend someone with any smell of smoke that happened to be on me and I had my fill of Cliques when I was in school many many years ago. IMHO those cliques make a person feel so inferior and I feel that way enough on my own that I don't need complete strangers treating me that way. I would love to have some comrade feeling friends to help me learn new aspects of quilting beyond what I have learned myself from You Tube and following blogs that I can glean information from. Perhaps someday I will get brave enough to seek out a guild to attend to see how I'm treated (hopefully nicely) and possibly join since I am at the "sponge stage" just wanting to soak in any knowledge that I can in every aspect of quilting. Thank You members of this most wonderful place of learning called The Quilting Board!
Jeri

DOTTYMO

I would like quilt guild meetings during the day or early evening not after 7.00pm. When they begin later they don't finish until 11.00 pm which is too late for me to function.