PROBUS is a local, national, and international association of retired and semi-retired people who come together in non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit, autonomous clubs to make new friends, and to maintain and expand their interests.
It is not a service club and there is no fundraising.
The first non-sectarian PROBUS clubs specifically for active retirees formed in 1966 in England by two local Rotary Clubs. The success of these clubs led to the expansion throughout the British Isles and then around the world.
In Canada, there are currently 250 clubs with around 38,000 members.
Clubs are open to anyone who is retired or semi-retired. There is typically a monthly meeting with a speaker and other organized events such as visits to theatres, museums, and other facilities of interest as well activities such as bowling or car rallies. Within the club there might also be other groups formed by like-minded members such as book photography, euchre clubs, etc.
COVID proved challenging for PROBUS clubs because the main goal is fellowship and social activity. Many clubs continued to operate using technology such as ZOOM. It is a credit to the strength of these clubs and the speakers they engaged as they all wrestled with technology many had never heard of before COVID. It belies the adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks."
There are three PROBUS clubs in our area showing a need for retired people of this area to come together and learn new things and meet their local peers. Each are welcoming new members.
The PROBUS Club of Midland-Huronia, formed in 1998, is over 130 members strong this year, down from pre-COVID days but expecting numbers to increase. Regular monthly meetings, with remote speakers, continued during COVID via Zoom. The club was back to in-person meetings as of May with guest speakers on topics that included ‘Getting Back to Travelling,’ ‘Automotive Dealerships – the Changes That are Coming,’ and the story of the PS Waubuno. Recent events included a Vineyard Tour and a Car Rally.
The club meets the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the NSSCR in Midland. Contact Tim Deaves, President, at (705) 528-1487 or [email protected] for further information.
The PROBUS Club of Simcoe North formed in 2001. The Management Team met regularly via Zoom during COVID. General meetings did not happen but a weekly “variety show” happened and kept a core group of members active and involved. The first in-person meeting happened in September with about 30 members attending. Membership has fallen from about 110 pre-COVID to about 60 renewals to date. Regular activities are just starting up again – book club, dining club and speakers at general meetings.
The club meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Penetanguishene legion.
Contact Kathy Larkins, Secretary at (705) 549-5577 or [email protected] for further information.
The Severn Sound PROBUS Club formed in1997. Ken Norwood was a key founder; his brother had created PROBUS in Australia.
Over the years the club has done many outings, even some over-nighters. The Mystery tours were a big hit and a sellout. Bowling tournaments were popular; the tournaments are now held in conjunction with PROBUS North Simcoe.
Other activities include book clubs, visiting the SPCA and seeing three puppies (one puppy was adopted), visiting local industrial plants, Hospice, etc. to learn what is functioning in our area, and hearing from local speakers regarding their writings and travels.
In addition to regular meetings, meeting for coffee once a month provides news about each other and those who need assistance! The club contains 45-50 members.
The club meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Penetanguishene Legion. Contact president Sandra Hartman at (705) 529-3044 for further information.
