CHANGING ROLES IN PROBUS

AS we embark on a new year, we are so grateful to Club and Association Management Committees for the ongoing and active support of their Probus Clubs and wider communities.

We are approaching the Annual General Meeting of Clubs, that provide opportunities for members to nominate for positions on their Management Committee. This is a meaningful way for members to contribute to the ongoing success of their Cub as well as the opportunities to strengthen relationships with other members. I encourage all members to consider joining their Club’s leadership team.

The past months have involved the formation of a number of working groups comprising of members willing to contribute their skills, expertise and advice. One such group is the Marketing Consultative Committee made up of Probus members from across Australia and New Zealand.

This group is working directly with our PSPL team to provide their input on our future promotional and marketing programs including the development of our new website.

Another group has been formed in New Zealand to advise and assist with the arrangements and organisation of the 50th Anniversary of Probus in the South Pacific. As you may be aware, the first club was formed in Kapiti Coast in November 1974 and remains as popular and vibrant today.

We have convened a working group of enthusiastic volunteers from both North and South Island Clubs to assist with coordinating this celebration as a national/ international event. This significant undertaking will be a shared vision and a commemoration of 50 years of Probus in New Zealand. This milestone will be a great rallying point for all Probus Clubs and members and a great source of pride!

One of the primary objectives of Probus South Pacific is supporting all Clubs in membership retention and growth, helping to keep Clubs healthy and active. Our membership strategy is centred around a collaborative approach that sees us all working together for our mutual benefit.

Over time, our membership strategy has evolved and with that, so have the roles of Membership Representatives that include Ambassadors, Probus District Chairs and Rotary District Probus Chairs. We are most thankful for the valuable contribution by these individuals on a regional basis. At the national level, each year, Probus South Pacific Limited (PSPL) seeks nominations from Probus Club members who wish to serve on the PSPL Board or on one of the PSPL Nominating Selection Committees (NSC).

The role of a PSPL Representative Member/Director is, in conjunction with the Board, to ensure the continued growth and success of Probus in the South Pacific region. They are volunteer positions which previously required travel to Sydney on a quarterly basis. However, for the past three years, due to the pandemic, all meetings have been held via technological means with the exception of the Annual General Meeting in August.

We are now calling for nominations from Probus Club members to fill upcoming vacancies for the positions of Representative Member/Director in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia and New Zealand. The term of office for successful candidates will be from August 2023 to August 2026.

We greatly appreciate the valuable contribution of the current Member/Directors for each of these areas of selection, Bill Killinger AM, Graeme Brown and Tony Blaber, respectively.

Members, particularly those who also have business experience in finance, accounting, communications, marketing, or as a public company Director, are urged to consider nominating. Given the large proportion of female Probians, we hope to see women who meet the criteria nominate for these roles. We ask any member who meets the criteria to consider this opportunity. Further information about the roles can be found on PSPL’s website or by contacting our team.

Hopefully, like me, you are looking forward to creating new memories in 2023 and enjoying everything it has to offer.

Chairman Probus South Pacific Ltd