On Thursday 1 June, the Dartmouth PROBUS (PROfessional/BUSiness Retirees) Club celebrated their 10 year anniversary.
This journey began in 2012, when the Halifax PROBUS Club was approached by a member (Terry Rowell) about the possibility of starting a new club in the Province. After looking at establishing a club in Wolfville, and Kentville, Terry convinced the Halifax Club board to try to set up a club in Dartmouth. Terry was asked to take the lead in attempting to form this club and along with Clive Mason, another Halifax club member, they began the process.
As PROBUS is an offshoot of the Rotary Organization, a sponsor club was required. Terry made a convincing presentation to the Dartmouth Rotary Club who then agreed to sponsor a Dartmouth Club. At this point, Rotary Member, Janet McKinnon became involved, as well as Andre Decharme (then President of the Halifax Club), his wife Moira (former Halifax Mayor and Past President of PROBUS Valley Club, and Terry Simms helped out along with $300 startup funds.
With a solid foundation, the group went about trying to solve the next two major issue: finding a venue to host the meetings; and getting members signed up. The founding committee felt very fortunate that they were able to arrange for a meeting space in the beautiful Fairbanks Centre in Shubie Park. At this centre, on March 18,2013, they held an information meeting. This meeting was advertised in the Herald, and 130 invitations were sent out. At the meeting, a record 77 Charter Members signed up and as is often said, “ The Rest is History.” The club held its first official meeting on June 6th, 2013 where Terry Rowell became the Club’s first president, a full executive was elected , and the Club received its charter.
The club also heard their first speaker as Dr. Jock Murray, (Professor Emeritus, Dalhousie University) who spoke on “The Medical Response to the Halifax Explosion”.
As was mentioned, the Club started with 77 Charter Members and 28 Charter Members still active in the Club. At this point in the celebration, the remaining members of the first Management Committee were asked to come forward and they were recognized with certificates noting their invaluable service. These individuals are: President – Terry Rowell, President Elect – Clive Mason, Secretary – Ian Travers, Treasurer – Janet McKinnon, Membership – Bill Scott and Member Services – Oliver O’Rourke
