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By PDG Bob Aitken
Editor of “Rotary Downunder” Magazine, and a Friend of Rotary E-Club
One
Probus (Professional & Business Retirees) is one of several major
Rotary activities that sometimes fly under the radar.
Every proud Rotarian delights in the success of our Rotary
Foundation, PolioPlus, our Rotary Youth Exchange Program, RYLA,
Rotaract, Interact and many other high profile projects, but how
many Rotarians know that Probus is Rotary’s most successful
community service program for seniors in New Zealand and Australia?
Probus is an association of active retirees who join together in
clubs, the basic purpose of which is to provide regular
opportunities (a monthly daytime meeting with an interesting guest
speaker) for them to keep their minds active, expand their interests
and to enjoy the fellowship of new friends.
Membership is open to anyone of good character who has had some
measure of responsibility or achievement in any field of worthy
endeavor.
Probus is Rotary’s ‘baby’. Only Rotary clubs can charter a new
Probus Club, and senior citizens in every community clamor to be
part of any new Probus Club. Membership waiting lists are lengthy
and new club charter opportunities abound everywhere.
Recent statistics reveal a massive 138,295 Probians in 1,781 clubs
in Australia. New Zealand also boasts incredible numbers – 45,865
members in 457 clubs. The concept has also been shared with our RI
Zone 7 neighbors, the Philippines, in recent years and Rotary in
that country has now sponsored seven Probus clubs with a total of
132 members.
Probus originated in the UK in 1965 and ‘migrated down under’ to New
Zealand (1974) and Australia (1976). Probus fills a need for active
retirees and growth has been phenomenal with the movement now
thriving in 23 countries.
The Probus Centre – South Pacific is located in Parramatta, a major
business hub in Sydney, Australia. The Probus Centre – South Pacific
works closely with Rotary’s District Governors to foster the ongoing
promotion and growth of Probus. Every Rotary District administration
team has a Probus District Chairman and these are the people who
work hard to stimulate interest in chartering new Probus clubs.
Currently, Probus clubs throughout the region are ageing – along
with their members. Thus, we have seen a slight drop in membership
in the last two years. The answer is simple …Rotary Districts need
to renew and refresh interest in Probus. Districts need to encourage
their Rotary clubs to survey communities and move to conduct
interest meetings with a view to chartering new clubs.
The task of chartering a new Probus club is very straightforward.
Total cost to the sponsoring Rotary club is approximately US$500 to
US$600, depending on the size of the new Probus club. Typically a
Probus club has a maximum of 100 members. Where else can a Rotary
club achieve social purpose and well-being for 100 senior citizens,
some of whom might otherwise lead lonely, uneventful lives, for such
a minor cost?
Probus is tomorrow’s vision for active retirees – and Rotary can
help make that vision a reality. |
P