Windsor/Essex County Probus Club Home Page

Our Club is Located in Windsor Ontario Canada and is club #102 in Canada

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Probus clubs are organizations for men and women who have retired from their profession or business and want to maintain a social network. Probus has a Vital Purpose - to stimulate thought, interest and participation in activities at a time in life when it is easy to become complacent and self-centred.

A Probus ( PROfessional and BUSiness) club is sponsored by a Rotary club or a nearby Probus club and meets at least once a month for fellowship and to hear guest speakers.

How it Started

(from the Victoria Probus Fact Sheet)

About the latter part of 1965, an active and notable Rotarian of Welwyn Garden City in ENGLAND assembled some retired Professional and Business men (some Rotarians and some not), to form a club. In a Probus newsletter, we find a report "A Simple Idea" by the Founder, Fred Carnhill
"I used to meet a few retired men for morning coffee - mostly ex-commuters (to London) with professional or business backgrounds and with a wealth of experience behind them. Conversation was always brisk and entertaining. One was an architect, responsible for many public buildings over the country, another an ex-borough treasurer, an ex-railway official, an headmaster, an ex-journalist, an ex-newspaper editor and an ex-secretary to a Prime Minister. This gave me an idea: really a very simple one..."I telephoned 33 friends that night and they said, "Put me down, Fred." Thus the Campus Club, (because it faced the centre of town, called The Campus), was formed."

Coincidentally at the same time, Rotarian Harold Blanchard of Caterham Rotary Club formed and sponsored the Caterham PROBUS club, derived from the words PROfessional and BUSiness. In his writings of "The Birth of Probus" he states:
"..One of our more erudite members came up with the idea of PROBUS - PROfessional and BUSiness. He assured us that Probus was a Latin word from which "probity" was derived, and the name adopted with enthusiasm. Incidentally we found there was a village in Cornwall called Probus and also there was a Roman Emperor of the same name who in his day was famous for his cultivation of the vine."

Due to the success of these two clubs. Probus Clubs were promoted through Rotary in adjacent towns. As a result Rotary International British Isles were informed and a promotional pamphlet was established urging other Rotary Clubs to form Probus. There are now approximately 2,000 clubs in Great Britain.

Today, there are over 300,000 members in 4,000 Probus clubs worldwide in 17 countries with 89 clubs and approximately 9,300 members in Canada alone. The first Probus Club in Canada started in Cambridge Ontario in 1987.

The involvement of a Rotary sponsoring club with a Probus club is to approach retired or semi-retired candidates from their community and organize the formation of the club. The club becomes an autonomous organization and its members take over leadership.
Potential Probus candidates need not be past members of Rotary. Less than 10% of Probus members are former Rotarians.

The Rotary International Board has encouraged Rotary clubs to organize and support Probus clubs as a commended community service activity. The first Probus club in North America was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada in 1987.


PROBUS ACTIVITIES

Probus clubs are not service organizations and carry out no activity except to have social events and regular speakers to keep up to date with the community, but most members are active volunteers in service projects in formal service clubs.

Probus clubs pride themselves on their independence and freedom from organization.
The structure of the clubs is simple and members are not required to attend a meetings.

Probus clubs have no higher governing body...clubs are autonomous usually under a standard constitution....but active Probus Centers have been formed in five countries to provide service, disseminate information and promote new clubs; operating costs are met by club contributions.

A worldwide web page www.probus.org, containing essential information on Probus, called PROBUS CLUB SERVICE AND PROMOTION includes worldwide chat groups, a new worldwide home exchange program, and how Rotary starts a Probus Club. This is operated on the world wide web out of Ontario, Canada, recognized and written up in ROTARY WORLD, May Issue.

Canada Probus News

Probus Newspaper Page 1
Probus Newspaper Page 2


Club History, Constitution and By-Laws

The Probus Committee of the Windsor Rotary Club (1918) was mandated in June of 1999 by the Rotary Board to launch a Windsor based Probus Club.
After a number of exploratory meetings, an interest meeting was convened on October 27 in the Strike and Spare Room at Crescent Lanes (corner of Ottawa and Parent).
At that meeting, it was agreed:
  1. to form a Windsor Men's Probus Club
  2. to hold monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Strike and Spare Room of Crescent Lanes Tavern.
  3. to hold the next meeting as a charter meeting at which time a constitution and bylaws would be passed and a nominating committee selected to identify the management committee and officer nominees.
  4. to set initiation fees at $10 and annual dues at $30.
  5. to keep the organization simple and free of constraints or obligations and concentrate on our primary goal - Fellowship.


Probus 1st meeting group

Activities

The Committee held its first formal meeting on Tuesday November 9th at 10 a.m. in the Strike and Spare Room in Crescent Lanes Tavern. Decisions:
  1. Approval of a Probus constitutional document and bylaws;
  2. Agreement on a fee schedule $10 initiation, $30 annual fee;
  3. Approval of Club name as "Windsor-Essex County Probus Club"
  4. Selection of a Management Committee and Club Officers.
    President: Mr. Jim Fleming
    Vice-President: Mr. Dan Karon
    Secretary: Mr. Gary Champ
    Treasurer: Mr. James Cooper
  5. Agreement that the President would assume control of the business of the club;
  6. Agreement that the Vice-President would act as chair of a committee of the whole to identify and arrange for the invitation of potential speaker/guests or co-ordinate other activities of interest to our members;
  7. Agreement that the Secretary would prepare the documentation necessary for the operation of the club and train a member (Dan Karon) to assume the role of Club Webmaster.
    The secretary's home address, 3433 Askin, Windsor, N9E 3J8, will appear as the Club address and his Email address (ghp@uwindsor.ca) will be used as the temporary Club Email address.
  8. Agreement that the Treasurer would assume responsibility for the financial affairs of the club and establish a bank account with two of three signitures required on all cheques among the President, Vice-President and Treasurer;

    General Meeting Discussions


    With the arrival of Morris Whatmore of Wincom, an internet provider, and Mr. Ivan Vaseleniuck, former Rotarian and well known entrepreneur, a spirited and wide ranging discussion was begun about the internet and its relevance to all levels of the population. It was decided that the discussion would continue at our next meeting which would feature a hands on demonstration of Internet Technology.
    That meeting took place in December at the Wincom Offices. President Fleming announced that the Windsor Rotary Club had decided that it would not sponsor our club unless it included female members. The members were told that they had the option of being sponsored by a nearby Probus Club. Members decided to exercise that option.
    We received notification on January 13th that The Probus Club of Kincardine had agreed to act as our sponsor. Our Treasurer, Jim Cooper, sent in our application and application fee and we were informed by the Probus-Centre Canada that we have been designated as Canada's 102nd Probus Club.

    Approved Constitution and By-Laws (as at November 9, 1999)

    Preamble

    The emphasis is that the club be simple in structure, be free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs, involve members in a minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other, and the opportunity for development of acquaintance. Our Clubs will be a men's organization. Guests may be invited at any time. (The spouses of club members will be included in the club social activities).

    Activities will fall into two parts----

    A MEETING on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 10 am to 12 noon comprising about 30 minutes business, 30 minutes coffee break and 60 minutes to hear a guest speaker as well as have discussion.

    VISITS (during or between meetings) to organizations or places, sports and social activities of every conceivable nature.

    Membership activities will be designed to generate goodwill and a sense of belonging in order to serve a diverse background of interests, thereby ensuring for our Probus Club a highly successful future as a firmly established part of the community. Although the club itself is not involved in service work or fundraising, the persons in the club may be made aware of community needs for volunteers and choose to become involved as representatives of the Club.

    Our Probus Club will be....

    • a men's club
    • non-political and non-sectarian
    • non-profit making and non-fundraising;
    • sponsored by the Probus Club of Kincardine;
    • not only for retired service club members;
    • without restriction on the number from one former vocation;
    • without compulsion for attendance at meetings;
    • without restriction on members belonging to other clubs or organizations;
      and will ...

    • maintain low members' fees (initially at $30.00 Cdn., an initiation fee of about $10.00 Cdn); for initial costs.
    • use a distinctive Probus lapel pin, and name badges to assist in friendship.


    Windsor-Essex County Probus Club By-Laws

                                                   ARTICLE I - TERRITORY
    Membership of this Club shall primarily be from, but not exclusive to, the area of Essex County in the province of Ontario, Canada

                                                   ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
    (a) An application shall have one member as sponsor, and be accompanied by an initiation fee of $10.00 and an annual fee of $30.00. From August 1 each year the full annual fee shall apply, but fees will be prorated depending on the month the member is received. After payment of the required fee and acceptance, a new member shall be presented with a copy of the Constitution and By-laws and a Probus lapel pin by the President.

    (b) Attendance shall not be mandatory.

    (c) An honourary member may be elected by a majority of members at a general meeting of members. Honourary members shall not be required to pay membership fees and may enjoy all other privileges of membership. No more than two percent of the membership may be honourary members at any one time.

    (d) Life membership may be conferred upon an existing member who has rendered outstanding service to the Club. Life members shall not be required to pay membership fees, and may enjoy all other privileges of membership. No more than two percent of the membership may be life members at any one time.

    (e) Annual dues are payable on the meeting date in September.

                                                 ARTICLE III - MANAGEMENT
    (a) The Club shall be managed by a Management Committee comprising (plus any others added by the Club), a President, a Vice-President (also President Nominee), a Secretary and a Treasurer and the immediate Past President. A casual vacancy shall be filled by the President.

    (b) The President shall preside at all monthly meetings of the Management Committee and the Club. The Secretary will be the officer responsible for all minutes, and all archives and shall keep or have kept a register of members in which shall be recorded their names, addresses, former responsibilities, telephone, fax and email numbers, and ............................ This register is to be issued at least once annually to members, and marked clearly "unless with express approval, this list is not to be used for commercial or other purposes".

                                              ARTICLE IV- ELECTION OF OFFICERS
    (a) A committee of three who will not be candidates, made up of the outgoing President with two Past Presidents, (optionally in the first two years of the Club using members not on the Management Committee), shall present a slate of nominees for each office in the Management Committee, (with their prior agreement to stand), to a meeting prior to the Annual meeting. Any further nominations, (with prior agreement to stand), shall be conveyed to the Nominating Committee at least 14 days in advance of the Annual meeting, (to allow for ballot preparation).

    (b) A returning officer and a scrutineer, neither of whom is a candidate for election, shall be appointed by the presiding officer before the election begins.

    (c) Voting shall be by show of hands or by ballot. The candidate with the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. In a tie vote, the President shall cast a second and deciding vote.

    (d) The President shall not be eligible for re-election, unless the previous term is less than a year. All others shall be eligible (except the existing Past President).

                                                    ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
    (a) The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held on the last meeting day of September each year for the election of officers, and appointment of an auditor. A quorum for voting shall be 25% of the membership.

    (b) General meetings of the Club shall be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10:00am, in the Strike and Spare room of Crescent Lanes Tavern (or other locaton as designated), beginning by the published time, with a program of business, profiles, a friendship period, and a speaker, closing in approximately two hours. A quorum shall be 25% of the membership .

    (c) Meetings of the Management Committee shall be monthly prior to the regular meeting of members.

    (d) Any notice of motion shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary and shall be read to the regular meeting of members the month prior to the meeting at which it is to be considered.

                                                   ARTICLE VI - FINANCIAL
    (a) The financial year of this Club shall begin on the September meeting date. By October 31 of each year a payment for group liability insurance shall be made to Probus Centre - Canada, Inc., accompanied by a contribution to Probus-Centre to support costs of service to existing Clubs, and for the promotion of new clubs.

    (b) The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Club in a bank or trust company approved by the Management Committee. Signatories for cheques, (as the Treasurer is responsible for control and avoiding duplication), shall be any two of...
    (1st signature) the President, or Vice-President, and (2nd signature) the Treasurer

    (c) An audited income and expenditure account, and balance sheet if applicable, for the twelve months ended August 31, shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.

                                              ARTICLE VII - TERMINATION
    The Management Committee may terminate the membership of any member failing to pay annual fees by December 31 immediately following the due date in September.

                                              ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENT
    Any clauses in these By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting subject to the above quorum and notice of motion in Article V (b) and (d) of this By-law.



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    Windsor/Essex County Probus Club Members

    Windsor/Essex Club Probus Roster Details on Members (requires password - call secretary)

    Jim Fleming (President) - phone: (519) 969-7670
    Jim Cooper (Treasurer) - phone: (519) 735-4290
    Dan Karon (Vice President and Bulletin Editor) - phone: (519) 977-7071
    Gary Champ (Secretary and Webmaster) - phone: (519) 969-7627

    Jim Adams - phone: (519) 735-6002
    David Cassivi - phone: (519) 948-0131
    Robert (Bob) Coulson (Raffle Administrator) - phone: (519) 945-2090
    Michael (Mike) Dietrich - phone: (519) 944-1226
    John Fejes - phone: (519) 948-1414
    Ray Fletcher - phone: (519) 948-7944
    Chandrakant Kania - phone: (519) 944-4671
    Sidney Katzman - phone: (519) 969-6789
    Edward (Ted) Kinnin - (Honorary Membership) - phone: (519) 471-4285
    Walter M. Koch - phone: (519) 944-7668
    Richard (Dick) Lanspeary - phone: (519) 969-6876
    Bev Lounsbury - phone: (519) 979-1566
    Carl Morgan - phone: (519) 735-1922
    Henry (Hy) Muroff - phone: (519) 969-2114
    Hasu Naik - phone: (519) 979-4287
    Ilkka Oksanen - phone: (519) 948-6006
    Gordon Sansburn - phone: (519) 948-3379
    Al Sasso - phone: (519) 945-8837
    Sam Tortola - phone: (519) 969-9788
    Al Tubaro - phone: (519) 969-7521
    Morris Whatmore - phone: (519) 945-9462



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    Last Revised: May 9, 2000

    since September 26, 2000