Page 80 - Friendships Through the Years

At this time (1991-92) a bulletin from the Probus Centre – South Pacific Inc.,
indicated a huge increase in Probus memberships: from 17,000 to 98,000 with 1,298
Clubs then in existence.
Jean Aird expressed the idea that more members should be invited to visit our
foundation Treasurer, Albert, in the Croydon Nursing Home to fulfil his desire for more
interesting conversations. The President also assisted by arranging to pick up Albert (and
his wheel chair) from the home on several occasions and brought him to our meetings.
President Les Wanstall in his letter to the Author for his year’s highlights, wrote:

“It was a shock when Carl Adamson nominated me in 1989 as a Vice President,
and to be President Elect and eventually President in 1991-1992, as my
experience was very limited. However on talking to various people, it was clear
that Presidents should have an agenda for their year; although it was only eleven
meetings in those days, as there were no meetings in January. The outings,
speakers and trips were well taken care of by two strong people in Carl Adamson
and Keith McLennan. I chose sharing, caring and visiting those members in
Nursing Homes and Hospital.”

Les’s ‘Highlight’s’ letter was very interesting with regard to the problems sometimes
facing a President in any organization. President Truman said: “the ‘buck’ stops here!”
The Probus Club isn’t the U.S.A., but it is still up to an incumbent President (with
assistance) to sort out problems.
Les’ letter goes on:
“The Club’s venue for the meetings (the Senior Citizen’s Club Rooms) placed
restrictions, as we had a very tight time line for our two hour meetings and had to
cut formal business to a minimum to allow time for socializing. If we could get
formal business through in half an hour, we were pleased. The Hall’s caretaker
didn’t make the keys available until after 10 am. twice, which caused much
confusion and often Senior Citizens were standing at the door at 12 Noon waiting
(and anxious) to commence playing Indoor Bowls. Alex. Graham reminded me
once on starting late, that it cost time. It didn’t happen again and when “ringin g
the gong” promptly at 10 am., I would give Alex a wink as he always sat in the
front row with his wife, Stella.We had a problem with non attendance of
members, both at meetings and outings. Carl Adamson, as organizer, spoke firmly
a couple of times on this. It was decided at a Committee meeting that a member of
Committee would contact anyone not attending or not making contact with the
Club for three months. Two attempts were made to increase membership
numbers; one in Committee in which I had the casting vote to defeat the motion.
The second was put forward from the floor at a monthly meeting which was also
defeated. There was a waiting list to join at this time, but, so as to overcome this,
there were three Honorary members elected”.
(Author’s note Albert Aird declined the offer, preferring to continue to pay his
subscription. See the earlier paragraph in this chapter.)
President Les also referred to the Guest Speaker who turned up at 9.30 p.m. He
wrote: