The Probus Club of Ascot

Probus is an association of men with a professional or business background who have retired, are partially retired, or are approaching retirement.

The basic purpose of a Probus Club is to provide an opportunity for regular meetings of persons who, in retirement, appreciate and value meeting others in simi­lar circumstances and of a similar level of interest. This can be of particular value to those who have spent busy working lives away from their residential area and may not have had opportunities for the making of lifelong and lasting friendships.

Arising out of membership and Club activities there is a self generating goodwill and a sense of be­longing despite a diverse background of interests.

 There is also a stimulation of thought, interests and participation at a time of life when, perhaps, hori­zons are narrowing and opportunities to make new friends limited.

RULES Amended  March 2008

1. TITLE

The name of the club shall be the Probus Club of Ascot.

2. OBJECTIVES

To foster good fellowship and friendship, to foster good community relations, to give aid and assistance to others in need, and to engage in such other activities as club members shall agree.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to retired or semi retired pro­fessional and business men. An applicant for membership shall be proposed by an existing member for approval by a majority vote of the Committee. Total subscribing membership shall be limited to 70. When this total is achieved the Committee shall maintain a waiting list of proposed applicants and shall elect new members from this waiting list as vacancies occur. Suitable persons may be elected Honorary Members of the Club in rec­ognition of outstanding service to the Club. The number of Hon­orary members shall not be included for the purpose of limiting the membership to 70.

4. CONSTITUTION

(a) There shall be a President, Vice President, Honor­ary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Programme Secretary and the affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the above Officers and three Committee Members all of whom shall be elected at an Annual Gen­eral Meeting.  The Immediate Past President shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee.

(b) Four Officers or  Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(c) In the event of a casual vacancy, the Committee shall have power  to appoint any Officer other than the President and Vice President, or Committee Member for the period until the next Annual General Meeting.

(d) The President normally shall retire from office on completion of one year in the Chair.

(e)  Other than the President and Vice President the Officers shall be eligible for re-election each year irrespective of the number of consecutive years served.

(f)  One of the three Committee Members shall retire from office each year but shall be eligible for re-election unless such member has served three full consecutive years.  The member to retire shall be by mutual consent or drawn by lot. 

5. MEETINGS

(a) Unless circumstances dictate otherwise, a luncheon shall be held on the fourth Monday of each month.

(b) Members shall be deemed to be attending lunch unless notice is given to the Honorary Secretary before 10 am on the day of the luncheon meeting. Failure to give such notice shall, at the discretion of the Committee, involve responsibil­ity for the luncheon charge for that day.

(c) The Annual General Meeting will be held after the March luncheon and oral notice given at the previous luncheon shall be considered sufficient notice of this meeting. The normal business of the AGM will be to receive a report from the outgoing President, to approve the audited financial accounts, to elect Officers and Committees and to approve any charitable dona­tions which may be proposed by the Committee. The Club year shall be from the first day of March to the last day of February.

(d) Subject to one month’s notice in writing to the Hon­orary Secretary a Special General Meeting may be called at any time if requested by one third of the membership, or if so de­cided by the Committee.

(e) Voting shall be by show of hands, or ballot if so de­cided by the President. In the event of a tie the President will have a casting vote.

6. SUBSCRIPTIONS

The entrance Fee and Annual subscription shall be decided by the Committee subject to the approval of the AGM.

7. ALTERATIONS TO RULES

These must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary in writing and approved by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at an AGM or SGM.

8. WINDING UP

In the event of the Club’s termination for any reason, re­maining funds after settlement of all debts and liabilities shall be donated to a charity nominated by the Committee.  Any defi­cit shall be shared by members at that time.

 

Note:  The Club was founded on 28 February 1987.