A very successful (read sells lots of books) writer once told me to join every club, join every online group in my genre, go to every event and conference I can afford. Carry cards, get a website or at the very least a web page. In other words network.
It sounds a little calculating, but she is correct in all but one. Joining an online group can be tricky.
No matter what kind of group you join, hang back. Spend lots of time sussing out the pecking order. Learn who the charter members are, etc.
Lord Kenneth Clark once wrote that heros rarely tolerate the presence of other heros.
Personally I believe the days of hanging out in Paris bistros and sharing a common dream is a fantasy writers cling to that never truly existed. Writing is a solitary job (read work). Few people aside from your agent, editor and publisher are interested in anything but the final product.
Good luck,
BTW for all my huffing and puffing, I envy you your writer's club.
C