FAQ for New Members

WHAT IS PROBUS?

• A social club providing fellowship, friendship and fun for people from all walks of life in their semi-retirement or retirement years
• A volunteer-based, low cost, inclusive, non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian fellowship organization
• With over 4,000 clubs worldwide, some 240 Canadian clubs with around 34,000 members
• Has a vital role to stimulate thought, interest and participation in activities at a time in life when it is easy to become complacent or isolated
• All about encouraging healthy minds and bodies and socializing with other retirees in the community
• Emphasis is club be simple in structure, free of constraints and obligations of service clubs, and involve members at a minimal cost
• Club is directed primarily to providing fun, fellowship between members and the opportunity for developing new acquaintances
• Clubs are independently operated but coordinated through Probus Canada based on a common club constitution
• Each club decides how it operates within the Probus Canada framework and what activities and interests it promotes

WHAT IS PROBUS CANADA?

• A non-profit corporation, incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act in 1995
• Purpose is to co-ordinate and provide services to Probus Clubs across Canada.
• Each Probus Club operates independently but coordinated through Probus Canada
• Each Club, through regional representatives on a national board, agree to a minimal measure of conformity through a Standard Constitution and suggested By-Laws

CAN I JOIN AN INDIVIDUAL OR DOES MY SPOUSE/PARTNER NEED TO JOIN TOO?

• You can join as an individual as our club is open to all people, regardless of marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other ground protected in the Human Rights Act.
• We encourage a spouse or partner to join our club if they plan to attend meetings and/or sign up for activities and events with you
• The club is reserved for persons who are either currently retired or scaling back work in advance of retirement
• Meetings, activities and events are generally scheduled during the day Monday to Friday

DO I HAVE TO LIVE LOCALLY?

• No you do not. The Hanover Area Probus Club draws it members from a wide area including Hanover, Walkerton, Durham, Neustadt, Mildmay, Ayton, Elmwood, Ripley and many points in between

HOW IS THE CLUB MANAGED?

• Club is managed by the Management Committee, an executive group, which are elected volunteer members
• The Committee includes: President, 1st Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Chair, Communications Chair, Program Chair, Activity Chair, Hospitality Chair, Greeter Chair, Technical Chair and Members at Large
• For more information on their roles see the Management Committee page

HOW OFTEN ARE MEETINGS AND WHERE ARE THEY HELD?

• General Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday each month (except July and August)
• December meeting is a Christmas Luncheon
• Meetings are held from 10:00am to approximately noon at the Hanover Legion 439-9th Ave. Hanover, ON N4N 2K9

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MEETINGS?

• First half of meeting is to communicate upcoming activities and events and conduct club business
• Followed by a break with ample time to refill your coffee mug, catch up with friends and mingle with club members
• Second part of meeting is to showcase a guest speaker with time for a Q&A
• Meetings adjourn before noon

ARE GUESTS ALLOWED AT THE MEETING?

• Encourage members to bring guests as it’s a great way to showcase our club
• Provides the guest with a sense of club membership and activities before they commit to join
• We request guests sign-in at the greeter table

IS IT COMPULSORY TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL ACTIVITIES?

• Absolutely not, nor is attendance at the meeting compulsory
• However it is hoped that as a member you participate and volunteer in meetings and activities as it’s the best way to meet people and get involved

CAN NON-MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THE CLUB’S ACTIVITIES?

• Guests (non-members) are invited to participate in any meeting or activity for one time only
• To continue to participate they must become a member and pay a membership fee
• The club is operated the for the benefit of its members

DOES THE CLUB DO FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES?

• No, Probus Clubs do not do any fundraising.  This is not the purpose of Probus

CAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS MEMBERS PERSONAL INFORMATION (NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND E-MAIL ADDRESS) FROM HANOVER AREA PROBUS CLUB WEBSITE?

• No this information is not available on the clubs website
• Members are provided with a membership booklet or membership listing to be informed of the clubs members
• Members are advised that these documents are for their information only and are not be provided to any other person or business for any reason