Learn More About the Kelowna Gyro

The Gyro Club of Kelowna was inaugurated on February 14, 1924. Today it has approximately 20 members.

When does the Kelowna Gyro Club meet?

The Kelowna Club meets every FIRST and THIRD Tuesday night from early September to the end of June, with the exception of Christmas holidays.

Where does the Kelowna Club meet?

The Kelowna Club usually meets at the Creekside Pub. In January, February, March our members meet in a pub, many of our members are Snowbirds. Sometimes our members go on a tour of a facility eg UBC Hanger, OC Library.

What is the format of a “Dinner” meeting?

The optional cocktail hour starts at 6:00pm; dinner is served around 6:45pm and the meeting/guest speaker usually starts at approximately 7:30pm. The meeting runs for approximately 45 minutes and concludes the formal part of the evening.

What is the difference between “Dinner” and “Business” meetings?

Periodically we hold a “business” meeting. A business meeting is no different than a dinner meeting, with the exception that the minutes of the monthly executive meeting are read for information purposes and important items may be discussed and voted upon.

What is served for dinner?

Each attendee orders from the menu.

What is the cost of the meal?

The total cost per meeting is around $30. This includes your meal, the facility fee, taxes and gratuities and some alcoholic beverages.  Pub accepts cash and credit cards.

What is the cost to join and what are the annual dues?

Membership applications must be submitted to the Club Treasurer. You will be billed for your pro-rated dues for the year you are installed. Annual dues for subsequent years are currently $150.

What is the difference between a: Member, Guest and Probie?

Member: A member in good standing has been installed into Club and paid their annual dues.

Guest: Current members are encouraged to bring a friend they feel may be a good fit for the Club. This allows guests to enjoy the Gyro experience to see if they would be interested in joining Gyro. The first visit for each guest is complimentary; the club covers the cost of their meal.

Probie: A probational member is a member who has submitted an application for membership, but has not yet been installed. Probational members are treated the same as a member, except without voting rights.

How to become a member – The Path to Membership

  1. Complete a membership application (attached) listing two members in good standing as sponsors. If you do not know two members, speak with the Club President.
  2. Submit membership application to the Club Treasurer.
  3. Attend several meetings as a “Probie”.
  4. Probational members who have attended several meetings are eligible to be installed in to the club.
  5. Pay your pro-rated membership fee for the upcoming year.

How and when are new members installed?

In the Kelowna Club, new members are typically installed when ready:

  1. Each club has an installation weekend at which time the new club executive (board members) and new club members are sworn in. Members from all other Gyro clubs are invited to attend. Kelowna’s Installation is traditionally the third weekend in September. Installations are generally a Friday, Saturday and Sunday event with a formal-attire Gala evening on the Saturday night.

What is the dress code?

The dress code for bi-weekly meetings is casual defined as dress pants and a button-down shirt; ties and jackets are optional.

What is the expectation of attendance?

Gyro has no minimum required attendance. We are very flexible! Come as often as you enjoy and are able; Gyro is all about fun. Just because we meet bi-weekly does not mean you need to attend bi-weekly. We have some members who attend only once per month. We also have some snowbird members who are away for months at a time.

What level of commitment is expected?

You can have as much or as little involvement as you desire. Some members are interested in leadership or volunteer opportunities. These are strictly voluntary; there is no pressure whatsoever. Some members enjoy traveling to other club’s installations and partaking in the international friendship of the organization. This too is optional.

Aside from the bi-weekly meetings, what are some optional events I could participate in? What about my wife or girlfriend?

The Kelowna Club has a large variety of optional events that may be of interest; italicized events are mixed company:

  • Kelowna Club Installation
  • Lady of the Lake Dinner  (Usually in June at KGC)
  • Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner (held in members home once per month usually last Saturday of month)
  • Annual Summer Party 
  • Welcome home Snowbirds
  • Yorke Brimacombe Golf Tournament
  • Fall Golf Tournament
  • Founder’s Night
  • Valentines Dinner
  • Christmas Dinner