I've also been a member of VR/CS for 2-3 years, but without being active, (the events were just too far away before). and just joined SPA as you know. I attended my first event in each group just this summer, and found great people in both organizations. VR/CS is a bit more "purist" about models being finished according to the "planform of the design", so my Taurus got a few raised eyebrown, but everyone was was very polite, and some even said they liked what I had done. The Taurus had its first flight at their meet in Raleigh, and made a real difference in the way the plane was set up and trimmed out. It may not have survived without their help.

In short, there are many reasons to join these organizations--competition is just one of them.