Sons In Retirement (SIR) is a non-profit public benefit corporation for retired men. SIR assists men in renewing old friendships and making new friends through SIR activities. Having fun is our goal. We have more than 10,000 members in 100+ Branches throughout northern California from Bakersfield to the Oregon border and Lake Tahoe to the Pacific Ocean.

Membership is open to men retired from full-time occupation, regardless of age, race, color or religion. Member volunteers staff, administer and govern all Branch activities. SIR supports no outside cause or interest. We prohibit discussions of politics and religion or the selling of anything to any member. The only requirements to join SIR are that a man be retired, or semi-retired, be able to attend the monthly luncheons, and be sponsored by an active member.

Each Branch has monthly luncheon meetings where Sirs renew old friendships and establish new ones. Speakers are invited to speak on topical subjects of general interest. Most Branches have summer and winter luncheons where wives, partners and guests are invited.

Of special interest are Branch activities like golf, cycling, bowling, computers, RV’s, investing, genealogy and many other activities of interest to our members.

An extensive travel program is available to all members and their guests. Travel events vary from one day local excursions to trips of several weeks duration to destinations throughout the world. It is great fun to travel with people you know.

Our founders chose the rooster as the official SIR logo to represent the freedom he displays around the barnyard. We have paid our dues to the business world and now is the time for us to strut and crow a little.

Our mission is to enhance the lives of our members through fun activities, luncheons and events while making Friends for Life. SIR is a 501(c)4 non-profit public benefit corporation.

Our expectations of our members are few: be a friendly and sociable guy, participate, volunteer as your time and interest allows, spread the word about SIR by inviting guests and help encourage them to join, grow our organization and share in the fun.

Our achievements:

• Our members live longer because they are active and socially engaged
• We are the largest golfing group in the Northern California Golf Association
• Our bowlers can bowl in at least 15 State tournaments across Northern California
• Our spouses/partners love SIR because it gets us out of the house
• Our wives in many Branches gather together and form lasting friendships
• Our activities keep us physically fit and mentally alert
• We travel – be it a day trip to an exciting local event or internationally, to see the wonders of the world
• We have a great time, and we truly Make Friends for Life!
• If you have the time for SIR, we have the time for you

Realizing the social nature of man and the desire for the company of others, particularly those retired from gainful employment, the late Damian L. Reynolds conceived the idea of SIR in the Spring of 1958. Meeting at luncheon in San Mateo with three friends, he proposed his plan, it was accepted, and the groundwork was formed.

A kick-off luncheon was held in San Mateo on July 23, 1958. A second meeting was held on August 20 of that year - the eighteen attendees adopted the name “Sons in Recreation” and became its Charter Members. SIR was incorporated in 1959.

It was dedicated as a luncheon club for retired men which would meet monthly and provide a program of conduct. Members would purchase their own lunch, but there would be no dues, initiation fees or assessments other than individual, voluntary contributions to cover general expenses. The organization would espouse no political party, religion or sect of any kind, but did adopt a symbol - the Rooster - to represent the freedom, dignity and independence enjoyed by all Sirs.