judithb

Our guild has a welcome get together once a year for the new members. The some of the offices and someone representing the specialty groups explain what they are about and the type quilts they make. They also invite anyone who is interested to join them. (Some of he groups are closed due to size and meeting places.)
I like your idea about the quilt get together to meet the visitors and new members too,

JoyjoyMarie

I know what you mean about cliques - they are everywhere from families to work to hobby groups and church. Since I have moved a lot, and have had to become part of the group over and over, I have a little advice. Remember who you are and what you have to offer- they do not know, so you must be strong in knowing your own worth. Almost any group will welcome someone who is willing to put in their share of the work, according to her own skills.

Everyone's natural inclination is to talk to those we know first - it's just plain easier. Find a friendly face and make an effort to visit one on one. Do this with more than one person to start making a network of acquaintences. The more often you go, the more familiar you will be and the "stranger effect" will be lessened.

Our Guild which is a BIGGIE (180 members or so) has a new member tea, which helps orient the newbies. I appreciated this because I had never belonged to a guild, and had no clue about most of the activities or even the quilting "lingo." It also offers classes which give you a chance to learn something new and be in a smaller group setting. It also has smaller groups within the guild called Bees. These smaller groups are easier to become personalized in and get to know others - we have a group that does charity work, others who just get together to do their own projects at the same time, one that does applique in particular, so there is a great variety of ways a bee can be structured. Our guild has a secret sister option, which is another way of getting to know a single person in a fun way, and over time adds up.

It does take a group committment to welcome new members, and it does take desire and effort on the part of the individual to belong. And ignore the snobs. Life is too short!

BellaBoo

I think it goes both ways too. I've seen some new members sit way in the back or take a seat at any empty table and never say a word to anyone and only say yes or no or nod when anyone talks to them and won't move to a seat closer up front when asked to join a group. I asked one new potential member if she would like to tell us a little about herself and what type of quilting she likes do do and she said No I rather not. Her tone put many on guard so they didn't mingle with her much. She never came back but later we found out she was saying how unfriendly the guild was.

Belles.hold

I find it very sad that so many Quilting Board members have had such unhappy experiences with Quilting Guilds. Especially since my experience has (for the past 12 years) been WONDERFUL!! I belong to a Guild headquartered in Western Springs. SCQG has 250 members and ALWAYS a long waiting list. I've been chair of many, many committees and this upcoming Guild year I will be Membership Chair. I estimate that I know 225 of the members by name or sight. Because I would like to know all of them, I am suggesting that our members directory add a small photo of the member next to her name and address. (Wish me luck pushing that through the board - it will increase the cost considerably.) So many of the suggestions listed on the Quilting Board are good for joining and staying in a Guild, but I'd like to offer one more - head or join a committee. This is a perfect way to meet and get to know other members - and tell me - who is nicer than a quilter? Belles

Marylou

Our guild is fairly small and meets in the evening so that working members can attend. We also make sure an officer calls every visitor after her (or his I guess) first meeting to welcome them and ask them to come back. New members seem to appreciate the call. Marylou

wsquilting

I belong to a guild that has about 80 members. We are all rural or small town people. I would not call our guild cliquey but wow, this topic is renewing my intent to speak to about 79 members when I attend next week. I like to think that I have never met a quilter that I didn't like. I must admit that my first year, I sat by myself, absorbing the atmosphere of quilt lovers, feeling shy. But the more you put in, the more you get out, just like Mom used to say.
Aren't we all little girls (or boys) inside, with the same insecurities and over compensating ways?

carlasuewho

Here is your opening post for this thread:

"It seems like we have a lot of members who have had unhappy experiences with a quilt guild, so I thought maybe some of us who belong to groups could make suggestions on how to make new people feel welcome."

Then a few of us who have had unhappy experiences spoke up about what turned us off. To which you replied:

"Let's try and keep everything on this thread positive with positive suggestions. There are many, many threads started already to post negative thoughts about quilt groups. I'm hoping this thread will help people involved with guilds be able to post suggestions on how they make new members feel welcome."

So once again, it`s all about the people who are active in guilds and the opinions of newcomers or those "not active" because of bad experiences are not welcome.

Well Excuuuse us for interfering in your thread. Just wonder how you plan to make anybody feel welcome in your guilds if we`re not even permitted to state what sent us packing.

Doesn`t matter. You proved our point. I`m outta here.

sewbeeit42

One of our local guilds meets on the even number months in the evening and the odd number months in the day so as to accommodate all members. All members can attend day and/or night meetings for the one that works best for them.

tryitall

I don't have that problem. I sit right on the front row. Don't want to miss anything. Anywhere I go.

Minda

Keep the great suggestions coming.

Eddie, I'm proud to say our group is open to men, although no men have joined us yet. I wish you could join our group. We also have 5 junior members who are learning to quilt. They are kids between 12 and 18 years old. Their dues are half the price of adult dues. We have name tags and draw a name for a door prize each month. If the name drawn is wearing her name tag, she gets the gift; if not, we draw another name. This is how we encourage members to wear their name tags. All of the local guilds in my area have their meetings in the evening.

Zoe, I love your story about your daughter's first day at a new school. What a great experience for her.