August 3, 2015 #16. Next Meeting: Thursday, August 13 at 9.30 am, Marine Drive Golf Club

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1 1 THE PROBE NEWSLETTER OF PROBUS CLUB OF VANCOUVER WEST 2665 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6N 3G4 August 3, 2015 #16 UPCOMING DATES & DEADLINES Next Meeting: Thursday, August 13 at 9.30 am, Marine Drive Golf Club Special event: Monday, September 21 Day trip to Britannia Mine Museum and the Sea- to- Sky Gondola. Details below. SPEAKER FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 Dr. Angus Reid Chairman, Angus Reid Institute Dr. Angus Reid, Canada s best- known and longest- practicing pollster, has spent more than four decades asking people what they think and feel about top social, governance and economic issues. From 1979 to 2001, he was founder and CEO of Angus Reid Group, which grew into the largest research firm in Canada, with revenues of $60 million. It was sold to Ipsos SA in From 2004 to 2013 Reid was CEO of the online panel company Vision Critical. He retired from the VC board in May He currently is the chairman of the Angus Reid Institute, a non- profit organization and federally incorporated charitable foundation, dedicated to the advancement of public opinion research in Canada on critical social, economic and policy issues. Funded by Reid, the Angus Reid Institute fills a growing gap between the need for data on public opinion and declining support for non- partisan research among traditional sponsors such as the media and government. Reid has written numerous columns on economic, social and governance issues as well

2 2 as the bestseller: Shakedown: How the New Economy is Changing our Lives (1996). He has a BA and an MA in sociology from the University of Manitoba, and in 1974 he received a PhD in sociology from Carleton University in Ottawa. He is the recipient of a Canada Council Doctoral Fellowship, the Entrepreneur of the Year award (1995) and was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends (2010). VICE- PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Summertime and the living is easy... but if you are in town, be sure to make time to join us at the August 13 th Vancouver West PROBUS meeting to hear retired pollster Dr. Angus Reid. Those who were here in July know that our speaker Shakespeare expert, Dr. Paul Budra, provided us with a fascinating, educational and entertaining morning. Pat Sexsmith of Member Services reports that 23 nametags for our newest members should be available for pickup at the August meeting. Members of longer standing, please take time to visit with a newcomer and make them feel welcome. And everyone, consider staying for lunch at Marine Drive Golf Club (open at 11:30) and socializing after the meeting. There are still spaces available for the September outing to Squamish and Brackendale. Sharon Baxter of the Activities Committee will be away for the August meeting, but you can contact her at or hugh_baxter@telus.net if you wish to join the group. She ll get in touch with you in early September when she returns. A member recently asked me how to get an item on the agenda of our monthly general meetings. Just ask! You can contact me at or rkwakefield1650@gmail.com. I m sure any member of the executive would also be happy to bring forward your request to the executive. We really are eager to hear your ideas! As your vice- president, in Mark s absence, I recently answered a phone survey from national PROBUS. They wanted to know our current membership numbers (148), how we recruited new members (friends bringing friends/word of mouth), if we would be interested in receiving information on how other clubs recruited new members (we would be delighted!). Looking forward to seeing you on the 13 th. Rosemary

3 3 WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS Diane Mitchell retired business owner, service management FALL EXCURSION TO SQUAMISH Britannia Mine Museum and Sea to Sky Gondola tour Monday, September 21, The escorted bus trip departs from Oakridge Mall at approximately 9:00 am. It includes a tour of the mine with free time to explore, lunch at Brackendale beside the river, and an afternoon outing up the Sea to Sky gondola with time for a walk on the trails. The price is $139 and payable to Sharon Baxter by cheque, prior to the event. Maximum capacity is 24. If you are interested, contact Sharon Baxter at hugh_baxter@telus.net or She will be at the September PROBUS meeting to provide information and collect cheques. REPORT ON SPEAKER JULY 9 Our speaker, Dr. Paul Budra, professor of English Literature at SFU, spoke from the perspective of Shakespeare not so much as an artist but as a working stiff. It was a fascinating exposure of the Bard and his time and was followed by a long and lively question period. One member asked why many of the plays were situated in Italy when Shakespeare had never visited the country. Dr. Budra s answer was that Italy in the 16 th century was thought by England to be the source of all sorts of perverted behaviour. Joan Hebb

4 4 MINUTES FROM THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015 PROBUS CLUB VANCOUVER WEST general meeting Marine Drive Golf Club Rosemary Wakefield in the chair Time: 9:30 11:30 AM Attendance: 45 Members, 3 Guests Announcements: Reminder of lunch after the meeting. The PROBUS Shuswap Rendezvous has been cancelled for lack of registrants. The Finance Committee has decided to move the PCVW account to Vancity and needs one other PCVW member, besides Doug Cucheron, to join Vancity in order that we, as a club, can qualify. Peter Cook volunteered that he is already a Vancity member, giving us the requisite two people. Member Services Committee is finalizing the latest list of names of members who need nametags. Recent new members were asked to please check that their name is on the list. Tony Weall reported that PCVW now has 148 members, down from the previous count as members who have not paid their dues since February are probably not going to. Diana Mitchell is our latest new member. John Fraser, acting chair of the Speakers Committee, appealed to members to join the committee and, even if they can t, to feel free to suggest speakers. Roy Hedberg, representing the Activities Committee, brought the sign- up sheet for the September 21 st all- day excursion to Squamish and the Sea- to- Sky Gondola, including lunch at Brackendale, known for its eagle population in September. The limit is 24 members and the cost is approx. $140. Speaker: Tony Weall introduced Dr. Paul Budra, professor of English Literature at SFU. Dr. Budra was thanked by Nancy Deshaw- Kilgour. The next General Meeting will be held Thursday, August 13 th and the speaker will be Dr. Angus Reid.

5 5 PROBUS VANCOUVER WEST MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE President Mark H. White Vice President Rosemary Wakefield Secretary Joan Hebb Treasurer Douglas Cucheron Activities Sharon Baxter & Estelle Jacobsen Communications Rooky Driver House John Fraser Member Services Pat Sexsmith Membership Tony Weall Speakers John Fraser acting chair The PROBE editor Johanne Leach Our journey is self- development. Our strength is fellowship. Our success is participation.

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