This is a dangerous practice. Talking on a cell phone during a group ride diverts your attention when split second decisions and actions might be needed at any time. It's better to wait until the group takes a break or ask the leader to pull over if you really need to make a call. Cell phones are good to carry for emergencies as we ride through some isolated areas of Long Island, but talking on one while riding in a group is dangerous. Sticking with the group in a traffic situation is your best bet to maneuvering through those conditions safely.
Drivers tend to give a group of cyclists a wider berth than somebody who is riding alone.
By calling out hazards to other riders, staying with the group in traffic conditions, and by using your cell phone in a cautious way, you will be enjoying in a safer way the benefits that bicycling with a club can offer. Yes, there was a fork on the road, not in the road on a recent club ride. I am not making this up. I think this 'C' ride might be going a little too fast. There was a long downhill on the ride out.