A social club for those who are semi-retired and retired is looking to expand to Red Deer.
PROBUS, a non-fundraising, non-sectarian and non-political fellowship organization, has nine clubs in Alberta and about 600 members.
“It’s strictly social. It has no other mandate than to create fellowship and friendship,” said Dennis Pommen, Alberta director with the executive committee of PROBUS CANADA.
“I call it the do-nothing club because you don’t have to be committed to anything.”
Alberta’s most recent PROBUS club was started in Medicine Hat in October. Others clubs can be found in Lethbridge, Calgary, Airdrie, Camrose, Leduc, Grande Prairie, and there are two in Edmonton.
PROBUS clubs have been in Alberta for about 30 years, and in Canada for 35 years. Across the country there are about 250 clubs with over 38,000 members.
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The first PROBUS club was formed in 1966 by the Rotary Club of Caterham England for retired professionals and business people to continue to meet for fellowship.
Pommen said today PROBUS membership depends on a community’s demographics. People from all walks of life are welcome to join.
He said for those who are semi-retired or retired, the clubs are an opportunity to meet new people who have also gone through retirement and to stay active without obligations.
The volunteer-based clubs rely on minimal membership fees, and hold monthly meetings that include a guest speaker, so it’s an opportunity to learn. Each club organizes its own activities based on the decisions of its members.
Pommen said during the pandemic members met online, and people may now be looking to meet in person and connect so it could be the right time for a club in Red Deer.
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For more information call Pommen at 780-497-8877, or email dennis.personal@yahoo.ca.
