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What is Probus?
It is an association of retired and semi-retired men who, join together in
autonomous clubs throughout the UK and the world.
The word PROBUS is an abbreviation of the words PROfessional and BUSiness,
which embraces any person who has had some measure of responsibility in the
fields of commerce, industry, education etc.
The basic purpose of a Probus club is to provide regular gatherings of
persons, who, in their retirement appreciate and value opportunities to meet
others in similar circumstances and similar levels of interest. History
The first non-sectarian Probus club specifically for active retirees
was formed
in 1966 by the Rotary Club of Caterham to allow retired professionals to
continue to meet together for fellowship.
The previous year, the Rotary
Club of
Welwyn Garden City formed the "Campus Club" that had the same
purpose. The two soon merged and flourished under the sponsorship of the
Rotary
Club of Bromsgrove, Birmingham, England.
The involvement of a Rotary sponsoring club with a Probus club
varies.
Rotary clubs typically approach retired or semi-retired candidates in
their
community and organize the formation of a club. Once established, the
club
becomes an autonomous organization and its members take over leadership.
Potential
Probus members are not required to be past members of Rotary. Fewer than
10% of
Probus members are former Rotarians.
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International Growth
The
Probus Information Centre has aided the formation of many clubs, not only in
the UK (well over 1500 clubs), but internationally. In the mid 1970's Probus
was discovered by an enthusiastic Australian Rotarian, so Probus was
established there and, having Rotarian inspiration, was established on Rotary
lines, the Probus Clubs being divided into the same districts as the Rotary
Districts. Probus Club numbers in Australia have reached some 1250 and in New
Zealand 270. All registered and acknowledged by the Probus Centre South Pacific
Pty. A recent development is a voluntary contribution from clubs of the PCS
Pacific, in which most clubs donate $1 per member has proven a success and will
ensure the future of the PCS Pacific. Most other countries have followed the
Australian example.
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There are now Probus
Clubs in the Netherlands (240), all Ireland (72), Belgium (60), South Africa
(25), Canada (60), USA (16) Bermuda |(1), and recently Germany,
Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Trinidad and Portugal (2). So from the self propagating
clubs in UK, the assistance of Rotary and the PIC in some part, Probus has done
very well.
As one Australian wrote 'Its the best thing that England ever
exported'.
Where is
Probus going? Well it's obviously here to stay. Due to the popularity of Probus,
the Clubs have a social standing in towns on par (or nearly) with Rotary
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