Probus is a local, national, and international association of retired people who come together in non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit, autonomous clubs which provide regular opportunities for members to meet others in similar circumstances, with similar levels of interest, make new friends, and maintain and expand their interests.
The three, James Raper, Harold Blanchard and Edward Mockett OBE (died 1978) were reaching the point of retirement and realized they had a need for fellowship.
The members of the Rotary Club Vocational Service Committee decided to organise a monthly lunch.
In May 1966 a Committee was formed with Harold Blanchard as chairman, who is seen as one of the 'Father Figures' of Probus along with James Raper.
[4][5] Although Probus membership has its greatest concentrations in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand,[6] clubs today exist in many parts of the world, including the United States, Belgium, India, South Africa and several other countries in Africa and Asia.
Offices are staffed largely by volunteers and operating costs are met by member contributions.
In the UK and Ireland, a full colour magazine entitled Probus is published quarterly, free of charge to members and distributed to clubs for the cost of delivery.
In Canada, meetings are typically held monthly with a guest speaker followed by social time and then updates on club activities.