The goal of the PROBUS organization is to provide Fellowship, Friendship, and Fun for all men and women in their retirement and semi-retirement years.

PROBUS is an international group of retired and semi-retired men and women who enjoy keeping mentally, physically and socially active by participating in a variety of activities.

PROBUS By the Bay, a club for women, meets monthly to socialize, to listen to speakers on various topics of interest and to learn about the many interest groups and social outings available to members.

As with all PROBUS groups, we are non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit and non-fundraising. We are a healthy, strong organization due to the careful planning and sound foundation established by the first management team, but it is the members who shape the direction of the club through their advice and participation. 

History of PROBUS By The Bay

In February 1997, the Blue Mountain Men’s PROBUS club invited members’ partners to attend a meeting which would feature Valentine’s Day music.  A number of the women who attended the meeting commiserated with one another over the fact that the only women’s PROBUS club in Collingwood was full and had a long waiting list.  They decided another women’s PROBUS Club would resolve the problem.  An announcement was made inviting women who were interested in forming a new club to contact Gina Schurman who developed a list of possible members for the new club.

At that time, it was necessary to be sponsored by the Rotary Club.  Thus, Gina contacted Rotary in Collingwood, who worked with her to put an ad in the newspaper and arrange a date for the first meeting.  Gina phoned all the women on the list and collected names for management positions.  A planning meeting took place in April.  Thirty women turned up and chose “By the Bay” for the name of the club, discussed the mandate and assembled the first management team.  Gina continued to collect names of interested women resulting in a list of over 100 women ready to join.

The inaugural meeting was held in June 1997 confirming Sheila Wilson as President, Gina Schurman as Vice President and the Management Team members.  

Each year at our June meeting, we celebrate the birthday of our wonderful club and are grateful for the initiative of those women who started PROBUS by the Bay.