 | PROBUS CLUB OF NANAIMO NORTH |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF PROBUS Club of Nanaimo North? We are retired or nearly retired from a wide range of occupations. DO I HAVE TO LIVE LOCALLY? While our membership base primarily draws from Nanaimo North, you do not need to live in the immediate neighbourhood. IS PROBUS A POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION? PROBUS is an international network of social clubs that is strictly non-political and non-denominational, welcoming retirees from all backgrounds. Our focus is on friendship, fun, and fellowship, without discussions on politics or religion. IS IT COMPULSORY TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL ACTIVITIES? Absolutely not, nor is attendance at meetings compulsory. However, it is hoped that once you become a member you participate in activities and volunteer at meetings and events because that’s the best way to meet people and get involved. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BE A MEMBER? The cost is $35 per person each year. This includes the cost of your badge ($13.00). WHEN DOES MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TAKE PLACE? Annual membership renewal takes place between May 1st and June 30. HOW OFTEN ARE MEETINGS AND WHERE ARE THEY HELD? We hold our General Meetings on the second Thursday of each month, except in July, August, and December when we host other events. We meet at St. Philip-By-The Sea Anglican Church in Lantzville, BC (https://www.stphiliplantzville.ca/) with doors opening and 9:30 AM and proceedings starting at 10:00 AM. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MEETINGS? Usually, the first half of the meeting is used to is used to welcome new guests and showcase a guest speaker. This part of the meeting is followed by a break where there is ample time to fill your coffee mug, eat some snacks, catch up with friends, and mingle with other club members and peruse the activity and events opportunities. The second part of the meeting is used to communicate upcoming club activities and events and to conduct club business, adjourning between 11:30 - 11:45 AM. ARE GUESTS ALLOWED AT THE MEETINGS? We encourage members to bring guests as it’s a great way for us to showcase our club. Many guests like to get a sense of Club membership and activities before they commit to joining. Guests are requested to sign-in at the entrance | DOES THE CLUB DO FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES? No. PROBUS clubs do not do any fundraising. This is not the purpose of PROBUS. IF I’VE ALREADY PAID FOR AN EVENT AND SOMETHING COMES UP AND I CAN’T GO, CAN I GET A REFUND? Generally, refunds are not given. Event organizers frequently make a non-refundable financial commitment to secure an event and need revenue from ticket sales from members to cover this. If a member has paid for an event and finds they can’t attend, the member is encouraged to privately sell their ticket to another member or to check with the event organizer to see if there is a waiting list. If there is, the member can approach someone on the list and make a private sale. HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE IN the PROBUS North Nanaimo Club? We can have up to 250 members which is our self-imposed cap to ensure there is sufficient space for members to attend the General Meetings, events, and activities of their choice. CAN NON-MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THE CLUB’S ACTIVITIES? Non-members may attend once all members have had an opportunity to sign up and provided that there are available slots. Guests are not invited to participate in more than two events per year because our club was formed and is operated for the benefit of its members. It is the members who finance the club's operation and who do the work of running activity groups and events. HOW MANY ACTIVITIES DOES the PROBUS North Nanaimo Club? There are many activity groups and many have weekly or monthly meet-ups. HOW DO I MAKE PAYMENTS AND MANAGE MY MEMBERSHIP ONLINE? Our PROBUS club offers a secure and convenient online payment system that integrates directly into your membership profile. Through our fantastic website, you can easily pay your dues, register for events, and access newsletters-all in one place. We encourage all members to take advantage of these features to stay connected and simplify club participation. Sign up here Join us (Membership Application). CAN GROUPS OTHER THAN PROBUS PROMOTE THEIR EVENTS TO OUR MEMBERSHIP? Because of the number of community and commercial organizations asking to market to clubs such as ours, announcements at meetings are made only if approved by the Management Committee. |