I have travelled around the world alone and with others more than once. People have good experiences; people have bad experiences. If I were required to share only my good experiences in life -- or with quilt guilds -- I would go mad. Why do proponents of the Pollyanna principle feel obliged to demonize people who are simply being honest?

I think you have twisted what some have written. I have acknowledged that some posters have had negative experiences. I have also tried to explain what happens at the type of guild meetings I attend so they are less intimidating to people whose knowledge is limited to what is posted here.

Pagzz, Your guild sounds a lot like one I'm thinking of joining. If most of the members have your attitude, I think I'll like it.

Saying that people "think" they 'might' have had a bad experience falls short of offering acknowledgement of those experiences, at least in my book. I personally don't think other quilters are out to terrorize me, so I found your wording in that regard to be extremely unfortunate. Had you omitted the last paragraph of your post, you would be on target with what you were saying.

well I think you seriously misunderstood me. I did not write they think they might have HAD a bad experience. I wrote "who think they might HAVE a bad experience. I was referring to people who based on a few negative reports were now thinking they would be unhappy if they tried to visit a quilting guild.

let me quote some of the posters who sounded like they "thought" they might have a negative experience if they ever visited a guild.

"wow, I just found this post and a friend of mine is thinking about joining a quilt guild and asked me if I would like to go along. I'm thinking twice now!"

"I toyed with the idea of a guild, but won't bother."

"Unfortunately, some people are simply mean. Dh keeps suggesting I join a quilt guild but it just doesn't appeal to me, in the least."

In a previous post I wrote "Don't let this thread deter you. I just reread all the messages and it is only 8 people who have posted specific negative experiences and there are 108 messages in this thread" SO IF you had read my posts perhaps you would have understood me to acknowledge others' negative experiences.

I think quilters are good, sharing people. Sorry if you can't see it that way.

You would expect a group that proclaims itself to be Christian to make a point of being kind to others. Not saying other people shouldn't be nice too!

I started a small group for just show and tell and lunch. We met at different lunch places once a month. One year we decided we wanted to do a group project. Soon we were meeting for a potluck and sew along. We have 2 rules: 1. if you plan to come, and something happens, Call someone, we WILL worry! 2. You NEVER need to do the group project. Our group has ebbed and flowed a couple times ( we lost a few when they got miffed I would not assign a food to someone each time !) Anyone can invite a friend and we meet in a quilt shop class room. (I check the calendar with the owner to avoid holidays and scheduled classes) It took a while for our group to grow, but we are friendly and welcoming. The group that never wanted to invite anyone faded away. They got tired of me inviting people I met in a fabric or craft store! No new members leads to a dying group. I wish I lived closer to you, I would start up a group with you!

I went to my first ever quilt guild meeting recently. I didn't know anyone other than a few ladies I'd spoken to at an event some time ago (I can't say I really know them at all, but at least I recognized them). It was a little awkward, as with any event you go to where you don't know anyone, but they all know each other. Some people never acknowledged me, some smiled but that's it, some were welcoming and quite friendly. All in all I'd call it a success. Next month's meeting is a dinner for the holiday so I'll skip since I don't know anyone, but I plan to go regularly and get involved so I can maybe make some friends.

Oh this thread scared me as I am attending a small guild meeting tonight--my first in this area. I was invited and meeting all strangers. But this part of the country has been so welcoming to me in all aspects that I am not worried. The only thing I am worried about is driving at night in the country. But I have attended larger guild meetings and some are more welcoming than others. They should redo their by laws and welcome no one outside their circle if that is truly how they feel about others coming into their circle But I find it difficult that quilters think this way. Wish me luck tonight. I am trying to find the niche here without driving into a bigger city. Living again in a very small town.

Yea, they should be perfect and not " human". Most of them are. ;) They should be held to tge highest of standards.......