Despite being one of the newest Probus groups in the province, the Maple Ridge Probus Club has seen its membership numbers continue to climb each year, explained club president Sam Lewindon.
The local branch is just one of approximately 250 Probus clubs in the country, which are social clubs for people in their retirement and semi-retirement years.
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According to Probus Canada, the Maple Ridge club was chartered in 2018 and quickly grew to include members of not just Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, but other nearby communities as well.
“We now have a membership of 73, and are adding more members regularly,” said Lewindon.
Local club member Dick Drew said that these membership numbers are particularly impressive considering a large part of the club’s existence was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sam is completing three years as president of our club, having stick-handled it during the turmoil of the COVID era, which saw club membership dwindle while ours expanded,” said Drew.
The Maple Ridge Probus Club not only has more members now, but more specialized groups as well.
“We have 14 special interest groups and these meet in person on a regular basis,” said Lewindon.
He explained that these groups cover a wide range of interests, including reading, camping, crafts, board games, computers, dining, photography, walking, drinking, and more.
The club also has a monthly coffee social event, which invites members to come together in a casual setting over a cup of coffee and converse with one another.
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Another service provided by Probus is the monthly general meetings, which are held every third Thursday of the month over Zoom and include a presentation by a guest speaker.
“We attract guest speakers from various locations, as well as from local organizations and specialists,” said Lewindon.
An email newsletter is sent out each month to all Maple Ridge Probus Club members, which details the upcoming guest speaker, club activity details, featured stories, and other club notices.
Lewindon said that new members are always encouraged to attend, even those from nearby communities like Coquitlam and Langley. To register for the online general meeting, contact Dick Drew at 604-467-1590.