General Info
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Meaning / Purpose
Probus was founded in 1965 in Great Britain by a member of Rotary Club Caterham: Harold Blanchard.
Probus is a multidisciplinary association of individuals, who carry an academic degree and / or had a management position in their working lives and who have reached the age at which they largely left behind their societal functions.
Many have experienced, upon leaving the active working life, how fragile the friendship is and how fast the indispensable professional relationship turns into obscurity. Probus offers them the possibility of new and lasting close friendship ties.
These individuals with different political, philosophical or religious beliefs strive to meet regularly to create mutual friendship ties and experience their post professional life years wise and meaningful together in a relaxed spirit of friendship and mutual understanding.
Each Probusclub leads an independent life, it is not a service club and has no commercial nor advertising purposes. A mutual friendship tie with other organizations, both regionally, nationally and internationally, through the CIC (Coordination and Information Centre) Probus Belgium.
C.I.C.
C.I.C. stands for Coordination- and Informationcentre.
Please click on the following links to get more information about the C.I.C.
General
The C.I.C. in its present form was founded in January 2001 by Stany Verougstraete Probusclub of Dendermonde.
As the name suggests, the C.I.C. in the first place an information center to serve the clubs.
The committee consists of 7 members: the national coordinator and 6 regional coordinators. Language will be sought on a proportional ratio of coordinators to the number of clubs. Only the national coordinator is supposed not to belong to a linguistic community.
The committee meets at least 4 times per year and the members undertake to participate in the meetings.
The National Coordinator
The National Coordinator coordinates the activities and chairs the meetings of the C.I.C.
The method of appointment, duration of the mandate, functions and responsibilities of the national coordinator, are summarized below.
Functions & Responsibilities
He organizes meetings of the C.I.C. and determines the agenda.
He is responsible for the secretariat (excluding the part reserved to the regional coordinators or others).
He maintains relations with foreign clubs.
He intervenes, if necessary, to resolve disputes or to support clubs. This will happen only at the request of the C.I.C. or the regional coordinator.
He is responsible for editing, good implementation and the transmission of quarterly data sheet C.I.C. INFO.
He is responsible for the finances and commissions payments.
He can delegate tasks to other persons, whether or not members of the C.I.C. (such as functions of the secretary, translation of texts from the C.I.C., preparation of the yearbook,...)
...
Term of office
Without other indication at the start of the mandate, its duration is set at 2 years.
It may be renewed once. It will be ensured that the national coordinator perceives no longer than six years in a job of the C.I.C., his years as a regional coordinator included.
Appointment
He will always be elected among the members of the C.I.C.
His knowledge of the second national language, experience in IT and with his age will always be taken into account.
At last between 6 and 9 months before the end of the mandate of the National Coordinator, his successor will be designated.
There is no post provided for the outgoing National Coordinator. The national coordinator leaves the C.I.C. at the end of his mandate.
The Regional Coordinator
In the lap of the C.I.C., each region is represented by a regional coordinator.
The way of indication, the duration of the mandate and functions and responsibilities are summarized below.
Functions & Responsibilities
Collegiate functions in the service of C.I.C.
Functions delegated by the national coordinator.
Representing the national coordinator at events of clubs in his region and be the special relationship with the C.I.C.
Visits to clubs to settle any disputes.
Assist in the preparation of the National Probusday and the creation of new clubs.
...
Term of office
To ensure a regular replacement of the regional coordinators, it is desirable that every 2 years 2 regional coordinators are replaced.
The term of office is fixed at, at least 2 years and is renewable 2 times.
All mandates shall start on January 1st.
Appointment
Once a vacancy for the post of Regional Coordinator is in the prospect, the national or regional coordinator will address, on behalf of the CIC, a written call for nominations to the club presidents from the region.
The outgoing regional coordinator or, if not available, the national coordinator or an other regional coordinator, will meet with the selected candidates.
As for the choice of national coordinator, his knowledge of the second national language, his notions on IT and his age will be taken into account . The national coordinator is informed about the process of the interviews and, if necessary, meets the selected candidates.
The C.I.C. is informed about the content of the interviews and takes the final decision. The future regional coordinator is presented to the members of the C.I.C. by the last committee meeting attended by the outgoing coordinator.
Members C.I.C.
Members of the C.I.C.
National coordinator:
Name:
Paul De Preter
Address:
Van Halmaelelei,28
2930 Brasschaat
E-mail:
Mandate:
01/01/2012 - 31/12/2013
Region 1 West Flanders:
West Flanders coordinator name:
Gauthier De Brabandere
West Flanders link:
Region 2 East Flanders:
East Flanders coordinator name:
Yvan Vandewalle
East Flanders link:
Region 3 Antwerp:
Antwerp coordinator name:
René Staes
Antwerp link:
Region 4 Limburg / Flemish Brabant:
Limburg / Flemish Brabant coordinator name:
André Segers
Limburg / Flemish Brabant link:
Region 5 Walloon Brabant / Hainaut / Brussels:
Walloon Brabant / Hainaut / Brussels coordinator name:
Claudine Higuet
Walloon Brabant / Hainaut / Brussels link:
Region 6 Namur / Liege / Luxembourg:
Namur / Liege / Luxembourg coordinator name:
Jean Lange
Namur / Liege / Luxembourg link:
Secretariat C.I.C.
Secretary:
Name:
Walter Van Leuven
Address:
Kasteeldreef 101A
2970 Schilde
E-mail:
Functions:
General correspondence.(e.g. data yearbook)
General information, change of address,...
Correspondence related to insurance.
Badges G. Dick
Charter new clubs.
Obituary notices
All the data for the yearbook
Responsible for the database
Sales & database:
Name:
Nelly Grillet
Address:
Amerikalei 118 bus 114
E-mail:
Functions:
Probusarticles: scarves, flags, bells, yearbooks.
Composition quarterly bulletin:
Name:
Jacques Vandamme
Address:
Drie Bunder 9
2630 Aartselaar
E-mail:
Functions:
Report of meetings to be published in C.I.C. Info
Articles for publication in Probus Info.
Website management
History
General
Founder:
Name:
George Dick
In our country, the first Probusclub was founded on January 26, 1984 by George Dick, member of Rotary Club Antwerpen-Ring. George has also been the driving force behind the Belgian Probusclubs for 16 years, as national coordinator. Stany Verougstraete, member Probusclub Dendermonde and formateur of the CIC in 2001, followed him in this function from 2000 to 2005.
Worldwide, Probus exceeds 5000 clubs and now counts more than 425,000 members. In Belgium, there are currently 101 clubs and more than 3000 members.
Probus originated from Rotary, but is not a member of ROTARY INTERNATIONAL and therefore not subject to its obligations. Probus is completely independent of Rotary but there are close links with it.
When starting a new Probusclub, the Rotary or Probus club sponsors, will contact the CIC Probus BELGIUM, as soon as the initiative for the formation of a new club is taken. The CIC should formally confirm an agreement upon creating a new club. The national coordinator or a regional coordinator will in his turn inform the existing Probusclubs from the concerned region.
The initiator, founding member of the Probus or Rotary Club, will bring together a group of people meeting the mandatory requirements for membership of Probus. He will lead this group until the board of the new Probusclub is composed. He can act as founding president or possibly an advisory role in the initial phase of the new club.
Only when new Probusclubs meet the CIC set criteria, they are chartered and granted the right to use the logo and name Probusclub.
C.I.C.
Former national coordinators
Georges Dick (1984-2000) Antwerpen-Ring
Stany Verougstraete (2000 - 2004) Dendermonde
Jacques Vanden Berghe (2005 - 2007) Charleroi
Louis Croonen (2007 - 2009) Genk
Wilfried Samson (2010-2011) Kortrijk-Andleie
Former regional coordinators
Andre Haumont (1993-2002) Hasselt
Stany Verougstraete (1993-2000) Dendermonde
Leslie Peeters + (1993-2000) Knokke-Oostkust
Léo Winters + (2001-2005) Antwerpen-Noord
Paul Woitrin +(2001-2003) Namur
Jacques Vanden Berghe (2001-2005) Charleroi
Louis Croonen (2003-2007) Genk
Freddy De Witte (2001-2007) Gent-Zuid
Pierre Vanesse (2003-2008) Namur
Yvan Nobels (2005-2008) Bruxelles-Renaissance
Wilfried Samson (2005-2009) Kortrijk-Andleie
Dirk Sterk ( 2005-2010) Antwerpen-Schelde 1
Marc Bourdeaud'hui (2007-2011) Oudenaarde
Vital Verbraeken (2009-2011) Nivelles
Paul De Preter ( 2010-2011) Antwerpen-Noord
Former contributors
Ray Cypers website Probus Belgium Aarschot
Henriette Baekelandt-Herreweghe secretary C.I.C.
Jean Vandevenne secretary C.I.C. Genk
Robert Jans sales & info C.I.C. St.-Truiden
Herman Thibault secretary C.I.C Kortrijk Andleie
Willy Forrez info C.I.C Kortrijk Manten en Kalle
Luc Goderis sales, website, annuairy Kortrijk Andleie
Quarterly bulletin
Download the data sheet here:
Outline for the regulations of a Probusclub
Probus' first objective is to promote friendship and mutual tolerance between members.
Political, religious or ideological views can not be the guide or motive in the creation of a Probusclub.
When accepting a new member, the leading role in his professional life, social - economic responsibility and the willingness to keep interpersonal contacts alive is taken into account.
The meetings (usually 1 to 2 per month) are marked by solidarity and friendship among the members.
Criteria for accepting new members: New members can join by invitation only. Each new member must have one or two godparents, members of the club, are proposed. New members should preferably be resident in their region. The inclusion of new members should be carefully made on the basis of their own club rules. If both spouses or partners would have the intention to join Probus they must, individually, meet the criteria necessary for membership.
It is advisable from the start of the club to recruit new members regularly and to ensure an equal spread of ages. This will prevent stagnation.
The exchange of knowledge and interests through activities of its members is a valuable devotion. It is therefore important to encourage them to organize lectures and excursions.
A Probusclub is called an "unincorporated association" and thus can not possess property. An annual budget preparation and monitoring for revenue and expenditure is commendable.
A good relationship between clubs, mainly from its own region, is useful and appropriate.
With respect for the autonomy of the clubs, it is still recommended that the board would consist of a chairman, a vice-chairman, a secretary, a treasurer, and possibly a clubmaster. The duration of mandates and designation of its management are determined by the internal regulations of the club.
A Probusclub is not a service club.
For all new clubs the Probusyear begins on January 1st. The existing clubs that have a different annual opening date are urged to adjust their internal rules to that effect in order to achieve greater uniformity to the whole.
Any probusclub can autonomously establish rules of internal order. These regulations should not contradict with the rules of the C.I.C. Probus Belgium.
The C.I.C. may deny the club's logo and the use of the name Probusclub, for good reasons.