PROBUS

PROBUS A ROTARY ACTIVITY.

WHAT IS PROBUS ?

Retire from work, not life.• Probus is an association for active members of the community, and for those no longer working full time, to join together in clubs for a new lease of life.• Its basic purpose is to advance intellectual and cultural interests amongst adult persons; to provide regular opportunities to progress healthy minds and active bodies through social interaction and activities, expand interests and to enjoy the fellowship of new friends.• Age is not a number but how you feel inside.• Probus offers many member benefits to keep you young, including international and domestic travel, daytrip excursions, luncheons, and opportunities to meet new friends. • Probus is a community service activity of Rotary clubs.

THE PROBUS PHILOSOPHY

• Friendship• Fellowship • Fun

“ACTIVE RETIREES”

HOW OLD IS PROBUS ?

• Introduced to Australia in 1976 by The Rotary Club of Hunters Hill.

• First Club in Queensland was in Toowoomba.

• Membership growth was rapid during the 1990’s into the early 2000’s but has since declined because of:• the loss of aged members,• a reluctance of members to

accept leadership responsibilities.

OBSERVATION• The conclusion is “a call to action”.• An analysis of the 2011 Census Statistics

indicates a significant increase in the proportion of retirees/seniors from the “BABY BOOMERS” are now about to join Probus.

• Probus, (as does Rotary), needs to develop plans now, and prepare for this growth.

HOW BIG IS PROBUS IN AUSTRALIA ?CLUBS AND MEMBERS

State Clubs MembersNSW 553 45,391NT 3 153QLD 186 12,895TAS 66 3,576SA 195 11,202WA 108 6,084VIC 555 46,009ACT 24 1,565Australia 1,690 126,875 District 9600 71 5,591

66% of Australian Probus clubs are more than 25 years old.

GENDER OF CLUBS:1073 are combined

359 Ladies only

258 men only

WHY PROBUS ?

• Probus is the only known Rotary activity that addresses the needs of our senior members of the community.

• Rotary Health research has indicated that programs of this nature make for improved physical and mental health of members.

• Seniors see Probus as the preferred “Seniors Club of Choice”.

CLUB MANAGEMENT• Each Club is separate entity with its own

management committee – like a Rotary Club.• The Club, once accredited by Probus South Pacific

Limited (PSPL), is authorised to use the Probus trade marks.

• Clubs receive support, administration and advocacy services from the Secretariat

• Club Members have access to benefits and services such as the Probus National Insurance Scheme, Probus Exclusive Travel Insurance, and the Member Benefit Scheme.

PROBUS SOUTH PACIFIC LIMITED

VISIT OUR WEBSITEWWW.PROBUSSOUTHPACIFIC.ORG

PROBUS SOUTH PACIFIC LIMITED• PSPL is the umbrella organisation, a company limited

by guarantee with a Board membership of 12 Directors.• 9 are nominated by accredited Probus Clubs for a

3 year term.• 1 Director is the Immediate Past Chairman – ex officio; and• 2 Directors are appointed annually by the Rotary College

of District Governors.• A Secretariat (consisting of a General Manager and

eight employees) manages and administers the Company.

• The company’s registered office is located in Parramatta, NSW.

PARTICIPATION OF PROBUS AT ROTARY DISTRICT LEVEL

• Each District Governor is invited by Probus to appoint a Rotary District Probus Chairman (RDPC) annually.

• This appointee provides liaison between the Probus Clubs, Rotary Clubs, and PSPL.

• The RDPC coordinates and assists in the formation of new Probus Clubs by the sponsoring Rotary Rotary Clubs.

• Sponsoring Rotary Clubs are encouraged to maintain future contact with Probus Clubs and vice versa.

PROBUS GROWTH OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION.

• Analysis of the 2011 Census results suggest that over the next 5 years Probus membership should reach 200,000.

• Over that same period some 200 clubs will in all probability close.

• To support the growth and recognise the decline our forecasting suggests that a 1,000 new clubs are needed to support the projected growth.

• Whilst this sounds formidable it equates to about 10 new Clubs per annum per Rotary District or each Australian Rotary Club sponsoring just one new Probus Club during the five year horizon .

WHAT IS ROTARY’S INVESTMENT?

• Dollar Investment

• Service Commitment – time and commitment

• Outcomes

THE COST OF A NEW CLUB• Establishment costs of a new Club for Rotary

sponsorship are about $200 – $500 taking an average of 3 months to achieve accreditation.

• The result is an asset that serves its Community for the next 30 to 40 years.

• Probus is not a charity but a self funded club once established. It’s a bit like a Rotary Club, that is, self sufficient and independent (some would say “VERY”) once chartered.

WHAT IS THE RETURN ON ROTARY’S INVESTMENT?

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

• Active Retirees enjoying life in retirement• Gaining a new lease on life• Keeping minds and bodies active through

social interaction and activities• Expanding interests • Enjoying the fellowship of new friends

POSSIBLE ROTARY BENEFITS.

• Probus members volunteering to assist Rotary

• Children of Probus members becoming Rotarians

• Grandchildren being involved in Rotary Programs.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

• The relationship between Rotary and Probus has been strong and progressive. It recognises the need for community service to our Seniors.

• Probus is an example of a Rotary activity that demands minimal funds and service hours but delivers a 40 year continuing benefit to the community.

• We are now at a time in history to renew the commitment to address the demographic changes in our Australian population.

REMEMBER – RETIREMENT

EVERYBODY’S DOING IT

BUT PROBUS DOES IT BETTER!