Probus Perspectives June 2018

June has arrived.  One half of 2018 is a memory and the next half is a blank slate waiting to be imagined and lived.  Where does the time go and what will we do in the future?  Members of Probus have been busy in June with hiking, biking, eating/dining, motorcycling, crafting, kayaking, golfing, reading, playing bridge, going on bus trips/travelling, and other forms of fun.  Please keep the Probus Newsletter editor Val Collins apprised of Probus related events/activities.  

         This last meeting of the Season will set the stage for the fall of 2018.  As a group members need to make a decision as to time/day and place for our regular meetings now that CSI Brock can no longer offer us the last Thursday of the month. The Kamloops Grasslands Probus Club Management has been assessing options.  Three venues are outlined in a brief cost-benefit analysis; one where the club met 2017-2018 (Brock), one new place  (St. Andrew's Presbyterian Basement on 6th Avenue Downtown Kamloops), and one where the club met in 2016-2017 (Hal Rogers).  Should the club move to another venue a Grasslands Probus Member has offered to donate a digital projector which would otherwise cost the club approximately $50/month to rent.  Probus Grasslands Management team is recommending Option B as it offers the possibility to reduce the financial cost while also limiting the volunteer labour to mid-range, is a suitable size with good parking, is in a central location, and the timing allows for an earlier start in September and an earlier finish in June.  The Kamloops Probus Club, the first one in Kamloops, meets at St. Andrews on the last Thursday of the month. 

         Venue A: Center for Seniors Information at Brock. If the club opts to remain with CSI (size rated for 115) member meetings must be held the first Tuesday of the month including December and not January, cost $150 (media included), there is access to the kitchen with no extra charge, the hospitality coordinator(s) and crew will make coffee and tea for $30, the management team will set-up/take down a few chairs/tables. The volunteer labour/commitment is minimal-medium.  The cost, provided there is no change by CSI, will be about $180/month or $1620/year.

         Venue B: St Andrews Downtown 6th Av.  If the club opts to go to St. Andrews (rated for 150) meetings would occur on the first Thursday of the month, including December and excluding January, venue cost will be $100/month which provides access to kitchen, percolators/kettles/cups, the hospitality coordinator(s) and crew would make coffee and tea for $30, there is a microphone, speaker, and screen available for use along with a member donated digital projector all of which would need to be set-up, the management team would also put out chairs/tables so the volunteer labour/commitment is medium.  The cost is about $130/month or $1170/year. Picture of Hall and Kitchen below. 

         Venue C:  Hal Rogers in Aberdeen.  Hal Rogers (rated for 130) meetings occured on the last Thursday of the month, cost around $75 for venue (+250 deposit for insurance purposes), microphone, speaker, and screen would needed rented for $50-100 depending on quote/availability, volunteer commitment/labor was more than medium with the hospitality coordinators arranged, picked up/delivered coffee for $100/meeting and then returned urns [there was a kitchen available but no supplies (percolator/kettle/cups)], management members set up/took down table/chairs, obtained and setup/took down media equipment and returned to rental agency. The average cost of a meeting was $250 a month or approximately $2250/year or approximately 2/3rd of the base budget for 120 members at $30/month and 1/2 the base budget for 150 members at $30/month.

Kamloops Grasslands Probus Club is invited to join the fun. 

 

This 4^th annual campout is planned for Tuesday September 4^th.  The day trip is planned for Wednesday September 5^th. Camping fee before Labor Day is $18.00 cash. After Labor Day the senior’s rate is $9.00. Day trip no fee.  Last year there were 10 couples camping 7 from the Thompson Rivers and 3 couples from the Grasslands Club. There were about 20 people for the day trip on the Wednesday. Coffee and goodies were supplied for Wednesday morning at 9:30. The day visitors brought lunch and spent part of the afternoon.  There will be couple of BBQ’s available along with paper plates, cutlery, napkins and condiments. Everyone is welcome to stay and have dinner (bring your own) with us.

 

After coffee some of following activities may be participated in a walk, geocaching, kayaking, etc.  After lunch there will be games available for anyone interested.  Bocco, Bolo and a bean bag game.