The first Probus Club in Canada was formed in 1987 in Cambridge, Ontario. Our Club in Oakville came soon afterwards in 1988 as the 5th Canadian Club. There are now 250 clubs in Canada and around 4,000 worldwide. A Probus Club is initially sponsored by a Rotary Club, but then operates autonomously. Members do not have to belong to Rotary or any other Service Club. There is no central governing body but a system has developed in each participating country to establish a Probus Centre in which clubs agree to a minimal measure of conformity to preserve the integrity and reputation of these clubs. Centres disseminate information and provide basic administrative assistance, especially at the start up of a club. They are staffed mostly by volunteers.
A full description of Probus in Canada is available at www.probus.org/canada