I have found friendship, members who are willing to give help to beginners or help the experienced with a new technique, members to just simply bounce ideas off of, quilt instruction that is always just a little bit challenging but comes with lots of help, planned quilt activities, mystery quilts, block exchanges and quilting week-ends. Nothing is mandatory except the very minimal dues. You produce work at your pace and enjoy the company of others who have an interest in quilts and quilting.
I have found no negatives to my group of about 30. We participate at the level we wish and always learn something new each time we are together. This is a good place to "show and tell" our quilting efforts.