Hat will soon welcome first PROBUS club

Medicine Hat will soon welcome its first PROBUS club, following a flurry of public support.

First reported in the June 9 issue of the News, Alberta director and executive committee member for PROBUS Canada Dennis Pommen has long wanted to establish a club in Medicine Hat, thanks to the city’s large senior population and expressed public interest.

“It’s exciting and sort of gratifying to see that people are willing to get together and form these things,” Pommen told the News.

“PROBUS is a professional business organization (for seniors who are) retired or semi-retired,” Pommen said. “It is somewhat of a lifelong learning organization to encourage fellowship and social activities ... The major thrust of each club is to hold a once-a-month meeting where a feature guest speaker speaks to the group about any topic really that might be of interest to the region, the city or the club itself.”

Pommen believes the value of the membership-based club is linked to its social and intellectual impact for retirees.

“It just keeps one’s mind active and inquisitive in retirement,” he said. “And it’s about the people, contact and the friendships that are made.”

Hatter and newly appointed club president Tom Simpson agrees.

“When I saw the article that Dennis initiated earlier in the year, it just sort of struck a chord with me that this would be something with lots of potential,” said Simpson. “I’ve lived in Medicine Hat for 10 years and I’m active in the community, but (for some) elderly, retired or semiretired people, the issue of loneliness is really big. So, I think this club (is) a really neat opportunity to help people deal with that.

Simpson and the other members of the club’s executive team are planning an event to celebrate the club’s official charter date on Oct. 6, as well as to welcome new or prospective members. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Veiner Centre. Anyone wishing to join the club may learn more about it, as well as sign up and pay membership fees.

“Our membership fees are $40 a year with a $15 initiation fee. So a person joining the club would pay $55 the first year,” Simpson said. “The rates are not intended to be high. We want to keep them reasonable so it’s reachable for many people.”

Simpson highlights PROBUS is not a service club, so member fees will be used to cover any costs associated with club fellowship and guest speaking events.

“Down the road, when we look back in history, it will be nice to be a charter member for Medicine Hat,” said Pommen. “Though, it’s open at all times for people to come forward... become a member.”

For more information or to sign-up, contact Simpson at 403-977-1704.