Most clubs just meet once a month so it's not usually a big time commitment. I've lived in areas without clubs and with, and I OVERWHELMINGLY prefer with (of course, I've also held various Officer positions in my current for over a decade, so I've made a much more serious time commitment).
Clubs all operate a bit differently. Some only get together to show their finds and have some contests raffles, others are very informal (I know one that started without any bylaws, etc.), and still others actually plan hunts for their members each month.
If nothing else, I encourage you to get involved with a good, active club as theirs benefits to numbers and things a club can accomplish. We've successfully reversed detecting bans for our members in two different local cities at their parks. It was a lot easier as an organized club with a long history, including community service (assisting archeologists, responding / volunteering to help law enforcement ---over 80 times over the years ---). We currently stand at over 70 members and that's with another two clubs in the same area and yet another just an hour away.
I'm a big fan of the entire club hunting together during the good weather months and having a pot luck lunch. That's the way we do it.