General

On a large screen, e.g. when using a laptop, all the information is in view immediately. However, on small devices such as iPhones the complete information may only be viewable once expanded by clicking on a green button with a white plus. This icon turns to red after having been clicked.

Using the box titled Search this table (top right corner of the table), type the name of your city or the first 3 characters of your postal code. While you are typing, the list will immediately filter the club list and only show you those clubs that match the word(s) you type.

Once you find a club of interest, reach out to the club using this information.

Update form

A form will open with all public club data filled in. A club representative requesting a change just has to update the field(s) of concern, identify themselves with name, email, and position/role, and then click on the button to Request update.

There are 3 groups of contact information that can be expanded/collapsed by clicking on the respective header, i.e. Club Representatives, Meeting Information, and Address.

Note that contact information of club representatives is displayed on our public website only if the respective opt-ins are set to Yes under OK to publish? 

If a field is left blank then no update to the existing data will be made. Use a full stop or similar character to replace unwanted text.

What happens after the submission?

Once the form is submitted, the respective director (or delegate) will receive an email with a summary of the requested changes.

The system will take a few seconds to make the update and to then move the line of data to a tab for Completed requests. Since there is only one database for club information everything is immediately up-to-date.

Should the Director (or delegate) not respond to a request within 5 days then it will be automatically implemented.

It is up to each club whether, how, and how often they acknowledge the Indigenous land on which they meet. Land acknowledgements should be regarded as a sign of respect, rather than a political statement, and do not contravene the Standard Constitution for PROBUS Clubs. They can be seen as supporting Goal 4 of the PROBUS Canada Strategic Plan: Create a climate of change recognizing cultural diversity, demographics and technological advancements.

Providing a land acknowledgment at the beginning of meetings serves several key purposes:

1. Promotes reflection and awareness: It offers a moment to recognize both the history and the ongoing impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples, inviting participants to consider their own relationship to the land and its history.

2. Honours Indigenous presence and resilience: The practice acknowledges the original and current stewards of the land—Indigenous communities whose ties span thousands of years.

3. Supports reconciliation: As called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and subsequent reports, such as the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, land acknowledgments are seen as an important, although initial, step in advancing reconciliation and building positive relationships.

Best practices:

• Ensure your land acknowledgment is specific to the location and reflects an ongoing commitment, not just a rote statement.

• Personalize and educate: Take time to learn about the specific nations, treaties, and Indigenous communities connected to your area, and reflect this in your acknowledgment to make it meaningful and respectful, rather than a token gesture.

• Continuously seek to learn and engage beyond the acknowledgment itself, possibly through cultural awareness training or consultation with local Indigenous groups.

While not all Indigenous people agree on the format or the impact of land acknowledgments—especially if done superficially—doing them thoughtfully and consistently can help foster greater respect, awareness, and positive relationships with Indigenous peoples.

In summary, it is appropriate and encouraged to include a land acknowledgment in our monthly meetings, provided it is done respectfully, with genuine intent, and supported by ongoing engagement and learning.

Q:  Can our club sell advertising for our Newsletter or Website?

A:  There is nothing specifically mentioned in The Standard Constitution for Probus Clubs, so it will be up to the individual club to decide.

PROBUS Canada recommends that Management Committees carefully weigh the pros and cons here and, if ready to proceed, put down in writing the process and criteria for determining which ads are acceptable.  For example, club members may not appreciate seeing ads from a funeral home or may see a conflict of interest if another member places an ad for their business.  This might be a consideration for the Club Bylaws.

PROBUS Canada publishes Suggest Bylaws for Probus Clubs. Since Probus clubs operate independently, these bylaws are indeed suggested and not mandated.

In Section III.4 of these Suggested Bylaws it is stated that Each member on the Management Committee has one vote on the Committee ... which is in line with Robert's Rules of Order:

Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie?

No, it is not true that the president can vote only to break a tie. If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions. So, in meetings of a small board (where there are not more than about a dozen board members present), and in meetings of a committee, the presiding officer may exercise these rights and privileges as fully as any other member. However, the impartiality required of the presiding officer of any other type of assembly (especially a large one) precludes exercising the rights to make motions or speak in debate while presiding, and also requires refraining from voting except (i) when the vote is by ballot, or (ii) whenever his or her vote will affect the result.

When will the chair’s vote affect the result? On a vote that is not by ballot, if a majority vote is required and there is a tie, he or she may vote in the affirmative to cause the motion to prevail. If there is one more in the affirmative than in the negative, the chair can create a tie by voting in the negative to cause the motion to fail. Similarly, if a two-thirds vote is required, he or she may vote either to cause, or to block, attainment of the necessary two thirds. [RONR (12th ed.) 44:12–13; see also Table A, p. 206 of RONR In Brief.]

Source: https://robertsrules.com/frequently-asked-questions/#faqs

Question: Can our club hold a raffle, 50/50, or Share the Wealth draw?

Answer: Probus clubs should not hold raffles or 50/50 draws unless properly licensed. 

The following is not to be considered legal advice, but a layman's guidance based on readily available government documentation.

In Canada, raffles and 50/50 draws are considered gambling because participants must pay for a chance to win a prize. Gambling is prohibited by Criminal Code 207 unless licensed by the respective province or municipality. A licensed charitable organization may use the proceeds for a charitable purpose.

To qualify for a license, an application must be submitted to the governing provincial body (see below for a list).

Licenses are only approved for organizations with charitable or religious objectives.

It is not likely that a Probus club will qualify for a license. Probus clubs are not service clubs, they are social clubs.

Example of a typical question on the application form is:  

1. The Charitable or religious objects or purposes to which proceeds

 are to be donated are described as _________________________

Our clubs are unincorporated, meaning, any fines or potential criminal charges would not be levied against 'the club' but against named individuals, such as the presidents.

Key excerpts from government documentation as of May 2024:

Alberta AGLC: Can I sell 50/50 tickets and squares that are less than $1,000 without a gaming license? No, all 50/50s and squares are legal gaming events and must be licensed. Individuals are not eligible for a raffle licence. Only charitable or religious organizations can obtain a raffle licence.

British Columbia: A community group or organization may be eligible to receive a licence to hold a gambling event that earns revenue to benefit charitable or religious programs and services within B.C. A licence must be applied for in advance of the proposed gambling event. 

Manitoba LGCA: To be legal, gambling must be licensed. [...] Raffles are a way for charitable and religious organizations to raise money. Although some people think of buying a raffle ticket as making a donation with the added opportunity to win something, it is still gambling. Any activity that has a cost to play and a chance to win a prize is gambling. The same goes for bingos, 50/50s and chase the card draws. If you have to pay for a chance to win a prize, it is gambling.

New Brunswick: Eligible charitable and religious organizations are able to obtain a license to conduct events such as bingos, bingo event breakopen ticket sales, raffles, breakopen ticket sales, Monte Carlo events and Texas Hold 'em Poker tournaments. Proceeds from charitable gaming must be used for the relief of poverty, education, advancement of religion or a purpose beneficial to the community.

Nova Scotia: Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need the licence to offer games of chance.

Ontario AGCO: The Social Gaming Licence is a new, free licence for casual social gaming activities, like cribbage, bridge, or bingo. The licence is broadly intended for social and service clubs, community and seniors’ groups, organizations, individual applicants or charities that host casual social gaming events in public places.

PEI: A lottery license is needed to operate a gaming event on Prince Edward Island. [...] A gaming event is any event where: a participant has to pay to play, the winner is determined by chance, the prize is greater than the cost to play

Saskatchewan SLGA: Do all raffles need to be licensed? Yes. The Criminal Code of Canada states that all gaming is illegal, unless it is licensed or operated by a government; and that licensing authorities in each province may only license charitable or religious organizations to raise funds through lottery schemes.

Criminal Code: 207 [...] it is lawful [...] for a charitable or religious organization, pursuant to a licence issued [...] to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in that province if the proceeds from the lottery scheme are used for a charitable or religious object or purpose;

Note for clubs in Ontario

For draws smaller than $50,000, the Provincial Government has tasked its municipalities with the administration of the laws governed by the AGCO. This gives clubs the opportunity to inquire locally about the legality of 50/50 and similar events. For example, the Maple Leaf Probus Club received the following response from their Municipal Licensing Officer: “That being said, if the tickets aren’t being sold to the public and the proceeds are only benefiting members……..I would consider this a “fundraising” activity for the group. These types of events occur privately very often without requiring a licence (ie. jack and jills, buck n does etc.) With the draw not being advertised publicly, and the prize value being relatively small my recommendation would be to call this a fundraiser and not a raffle.”  Clubs should not assume that this view applies everywhere and should get a resolution from their own municipality before holding the event.

We are pleased to announce that we have obtained a 20% discount for printing at Staples through their Business Discount Program.

UPDATE:  Staples has given us the green light to offer this printing discount to not only our Club Management Committees and PROBUS Canada for Probus business, but also to any club member for personal use. 

PROBUS Canada 

Business Discount Program (BDP) with Staples 

Discount # - 8087104892 

In Person 

When paying at the till, you can get your discount several ways:

1. Show discount card with bar code (a copy is below on page 2 – you can print it or save it to your phone for scanning purposes).

2. If you do not have the discount card with you, Staples can search for the number by o our name – PROBUS Canada or  o our office phone number (306) 400-5181.

Online – Staplesprint.ca 

1. To order online set up your BDP number in your Staples Profile online.  If you do not already have an online profile, it’s easy to set one up.

2. Instructions for setting up your BDP number below on page 2.

What does the 20% discount apply to? 

1. Document Printing

2. Marketing Materials, Business Cards, Invitations, Decals, Labels, Signs, Posters, Banners, and more.

What can you NOT use the 20% discount for? 

1. Aisle items 

2. Photo Printing and Photo Gifts

What if you need large volumes (1000+), custom merchandising (mugs, t-shirts, pens, etc.) or custom items (envelopes, folders, magnets, etc.) that are not shown online? 

1. Contact John Joseph, Account Manager, Print Services, Staples at 403-589-1644 or john.joseph@staples.ca

2. Be sure to let him know that you are ordering for PROBUS Canada.

Templates for Printing – PROBUS Canada has developed many templates that you can use for printing.  You can find them in the Club Reference Guide (CRG) under Marketing.  Be sure to use the current logo, also available in the CRG.

All other inquiries

Contact Wendy Machmer, General Manager, PROBUS Canada wendy.machmer@probuscanada.ca

Attachments

• Staples Discount Card

• Staples Online Setup Instructions