Marv,
I joined the ARES group in the town which is in the county next to me,
they are only eight miles away and the ARES group in my county meets
and is thirty miles away. I could have joined the County ARES group
next to me but the city group by far has a number of exercise's in the
field and can do far more. In our club we have a number of the county
area's group and only a few town ARES members. In the past the
county group seem to be more of what you talked about, that has
changed for the good. There are however a few people still of a
mindset they are better than the thou in the county ARES group. They
as fading fast, the club, both ARES groups play on field day together
using the City ARES call sign and both of the county and city ARES
members have been working together to improve both groups
So have the faith, you can cross that county line or join other ARES's
groups and they will except you with open arms I'm sure
73