This Probus Club 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 are limited.
RULES
Amended March 2018
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 business and professional men. An applicant for membership shall be proposed by an existing member for approval by a majority vote of the Committee. Total 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 achieving the age of 90 years or outstanding service to the Club.
4. CONSTITUTION
(a) There shall be a President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Speaker 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 and additional Committee Members 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) The Vice President shall be selected each November by a committee consisting of all Past Presidents, the current President and Vice President and the Honorary Secretary. The Vice President so selected shall be considered as the candidate for election by the Annual General Meeting to be President in the year immediately following his Vice Presidency.
(f) 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.
(g) 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 second Monday of each month.
(b) Members shall normally be deemed to be attending luncheon unless notice is given to the Honorary Secretary before 6 pm on the Thursday prior to the scheduled Monday meeting. Failure to give such notice shall result in the member being liable for the luncheon charge for that meeting.
(c) The Annual General Meeting will be held after the June 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 23 February 1987.
The Probus Club of Ascot 