[Download] [What is Probus?] [What does Probus do?] [Probus and Rotary]

For full information on Probus and how to form and run a Probus Club, you can download District 9320's manual.

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Probus – What is it?

A Probus Club is a local association of retired or semi-retired professional or business people - or others who have had a measure of responsibility in any field of worthy endeavour – who are of good character and are respected in their communities. They meet regularly for fellowship and an extension of their interests.

The name is an amalgam of the abbreviation of the words PROfessional and BUSiness. Probus is also a Latin word meaning honest and virtuous, from which the English word “probity” is derived.

In South Africa we have Men’s, Ladies and mixed Probus Clubs.

Who needs it?

Research in recent years has discovered abundant evidence of the need for retired business and professional people to associate with others of similar vocational / educational backgrounds.

Their social and sporting clubs, their voluntary work, their hobbies do not always provide this association. Generally, these people miss intellectual stimulation, in the broader sense, provided by their former business, professional or executive activities. Within a short time after retirement, the desire to meet others in similar circumstances manifests itself quite strongly.

The need may be met, for some and in part, by groups organized for former staff by public companies, or other large organizations, but most of these meet infrequently and the great majority of retired people do not enjoy these limited opportunities.

The sense of isolation experienced by many people, who formerly held positions of responsibility and challenge, often leads to emotional stress that can result in actual physical illness. One researcher asserts that “one quarter of all British managers are dead within six months of retirement and the same trend is occurring elsewhere”, so great is their need for peer-group companionship and intellectual stimulation.

The need, moreover, is growing with increased longevity and the encouragement of early retirement.

The rapid growth of the Probus movement in recent years provides further evidence of the need for this kind of association.

What does it do?

The short answer: it does what it likes, within constitutional limits. Probus Clubs meet as frequently as desired, (viz. monthly, fortnightly or weekly), for fellowship, morning tea and/or lunch, a pint and pie, a short business session and to hear an interesting guest speaker.
But that is only the beginning. Many arrange visits to factories, defence establishments, industrial complexes, police stations, and plant nurseries – the places a Rotary Club might be expected to include in its list of vocational visits. Some enjoy short outings – picnics, visits to gardens and places of scenic or historical interest, braai's and theatre performances.

In Australia many organize extended tours of anything from one day to a few weeks - sometimes as a single club, sometimes in association with other Probus Clubs. These are usually fellowship occasions with spouses and invited friends.

Some Probus Clubs have a number of special interest groups within the club – such as music, art, history, sport, drama, hiking, cycling, philately, numismatics, sailing, and many more.

A Probus Club in fact can provide all the enjoyment of a Rotary club without the obligations of service, the attendance requirements and the classification system.

The Standard Constitution for Probus Club in Southern Africa provides, by implication, that it shall be non-political, non-racial and that it shall not be a fund raising group.

The Probus Club is not a service club because many Probus members give generously of their time in voluntary work, either individually or in other service clubs or charitable bodies.

How does it operate?

Its members run a Probus Club. It elects its officers annually.

The club operates within a constitution, most clauses of which are common to all Probus Clubs.

No club may call itself a Probus Club or use the Probus name or emblem unless.

How much does it cost?

Membership subscriptions in existing clubs, (in 2004), are approximately R50-00 per annum. This provides for the supplying of gifts (sometimes) for guest speakers, production of a club newsletter and postage and other administrative costs. An entrance fee applies of approximately R40-00, (in 2004), to cover the cost of the lapel badge etc.

The only other additional cost to members is the tea and / or lunch charge.

Where does it meet?

The Probus Club members choose the venue for meetings; but the sponsoring Rotary Club chooses an initial venue for the first few meetings. It is usually in a licensed club, hotel, restaurant, hall or community centre.

What is its relationship to the Rotary club?

Unlike Rotary’s other sponsored clubs, (Rotaract and Interact) to which the sponsoring club has a continuing responsibility, the Probus Club requires no assistance or supervision.

The sponsor clubs direct responsibility ends when it invests the foundation president with his / her collar of office. Having ensured that the foundation members are properly qualified for membership of a Probus Club, and having satisfied itself that the first officers and members of the new club are fully aware of their duties and the Probus concept, the Probus Club is left to “paddle its own canoe”. Normally an interest continues and visits between clubs are arranged to foster the Family of Rotary concept. The ideal would be for the Rotary Club to appoint a person to liaise with the Probus Club.

Contrary to what some Rotarians seem to think, Probus Clubs are not clubs for retired Rotarians. While there are some Rotarians or former Rotarians in most Probus Clubs, the vast majority have not been Rotarians.

Are spouses involved?

Involvement of spouses or friends varies from club to club, in most clubs, only members (or visiting Probians) attend the regular meetings, but spouses and friends are invited to meetings and outings of special interest. All clubs welcome visiting Probians and guests who are potential members. As previously mentioned, there are men’s, ladies and mixed Probus Clubs.

Visit www.probus.org/