Probus Clubs
Encyclopedia
The Probus Club movement was formed in the United Kingdom
in 1965. Often sponsored by Rotary International
, Probus Clubs cater for the interests of retired or semi-retired professional or business people. Each club is autonomous. The movement is now almost world wide.
Since 1985, the Rotary International Board has encouraged Rotary clubs to initiate projects that address the needs of a growing senior (over age 60) population.
In 1974, Probus expanded into New Zealand
and by 1976 the idea had spread to Australia
. The first Probus club for seniors in North America was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario
, Canada
in 1987. Although Probus membership has its greatest concentrations in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, clubs today exist in all parts of the world, including the U.S., Belgium
, India
, South Africa
and several other countries in Africa
and Asia
.
Probus clubs have no central governing body but Probus Centres have been established internationally by country to disseminate information and assist clubs. Offices are staffed largely by volunteers and operating costs are met by member contributions.
By 2002, there are over 300,000 members in approximately 4,000 Probus clubs worldwide.
Typically, meetings are held at regular intervals, perhaps twice monthly, with a break during the summer.
Renowned for their informality, Probus Club meetings may consist of a rendezvous for morning coffee, followed by a talk by an invited speaker on a topic of interest to the members. Members themselves contribute to the programme with accounts of their experiences or by providing entertainment at festive occasions.
Probus clubs are local to towns and districts.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1965. Often sponsored by Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
, Probus Clubs cater for the interests of retired or semi-retired professional or business people. Each club is autonomous. The movement is now almost world wide.
Since 1985, the Rotary International Board has encouraged Rotary clubs to initiate projects that address the needs of a growing senior (over age 60) population.
In 1974, Probus expanded into New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and by 1976 the idea had spread to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The first Probus club for seniors in North America was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario
Cambridge, Ontario
Cambridge is a city located in Southern Ontario at the confluence of the Grand and Speed rivers in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is an amalgamation of the City of Galt, the towns of Preston and Hespeler, and the hamlet of Blair.Galt covers the largest portion of...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1987. Although Probus membership has its greatest concentrations in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, clubs today exist in all parts of the world, including the U.S., Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and several other countries in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Probus clubs have no central governing body but Probus Centres have been established internationally by country to disseminate information and assist clubs. Offices are staffed largely by volunteers and operating costs are met by member contributions.
By 2002, there are over 300,000 members in approximately 4,000 Probus clubs worldwide.
Typically, meetings are held at regular intervals, perhaps twice monthly, with a break during the summer.
Renowned for their informality, Probus Club meetings may consist of a rendezvous for morning coffee, followed by a talk by an invited speaker on a topic of interest to the members. Members themselves contribute to the programme with accounts of their experiences or by providing entertainment at festive occasions.
Probus clubs are local to towns and districts.