“Tis the Season” – once again. Here’s hoping that each of you have a joyful Christmas with family and friends. We are looking forward to our annual Christmas Luncheon at Tigh Na Mara. Sharon Brocklesby and her busy team of Social Committee elves have been working feverishly to complete the final details. It promises to be a special event – and a great way to kick start “the season of giving”.

Giving includes so much more than gifts. It also includes giving others good wishes, supporting charitable organizations in the good work they do with those needing some help, and giving of your time and talents to help others. Giving of time and talents also applies to our own Club.

As our Nominating Committee starts to prepare a slate of Officers for our Management Committee, they are hoping that a few of our members are prepared to give a bit to help our Club remain interesting, active and vibrant. Serving on the Management Committee helps to influence the future direction of our Club. As our recent survey showed us, members look forward to a variety of activities and events, including a few trips throughout the year. All of these events and activities need members who can help to make things happen. If a Management Committee spot may be too much for you, consider serving on one of our committees, such as the Social Committee, Membership Committee, Speakers Committee or Hospitality Committee.

In past years, these committees usually had only one person who handled everything. Now, we are trying to get one or two members to assist the Committee Chairperson to help with some of the work. It’s also a good way to have more than one person who knows what needs to be done. This helps to reduce the workload and brings new people and new ideas forward.

At a recent Regional Meeting of PROBUS Clubs from the North Island district, every single club echoed the same concern – getting people to volunteer is difficult. We hope you will consider stepping up in some capacity, and remember you don’t need to do it alone; it is fun and rewarding working in pairs or small groups

Are you ready to give a bit back to your Club which has given you so much over the years? If so, let Sue Kelly, Sharon Seibt, Al MacDonald or myself know. We have at least three or four positions that will be vacant and there is also room for one or two Members-at-Large, which are excellent entry positions to see how our Club functions.

As the old Red Cross Blood Donor ad said: “You have it in you to give.” Are you ready to help?

“Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”

Sarah Bernhardt                

Jim McKinlay,
President