as the owner of a group or as a member of a group?
I know people in EC, and I know someone who runs an EC, so have seen both sides of the fence.
As a member, it's down to whoever runs the group as each one is different, you may get loads of benefits as the owner is really wanting to make it work, or you may get 0 as the owner just can't be bothered and just wants to get their investment back.
I would go along on the free trial and test for yourself as it's horses for courses on what the actual benefits are.