Gyro Of The Year Award (The Norman L.“BUD” Mitchell) 

The Gyro of the Year is awarded to a Gyro “for Extraordinary Service to the Gyro Fraternity in Club and District affairs ..in the Promotion of External and Internal Expansion ..in Recognition of the Unique Esteem he holds among fellow Gyros ..and for Exceptional Involvement in Community, Business or Governmental activities.”
This award was established in 1991 and named in recognition of Past International President Bud Mitchell. Bud was introduced to Gyro when very young. His parents Norman and Louise were very active in the Minneapolis Gyro Club for over 50 years. Educated at the University of Minnesota he joined the Marines and became a fighter pilot, thus he was ready when the war started. Following the war he became the chief pilot for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune for 25 years and then Vice President for 6 additional years.

Bud, while body surfing with his doctor in Hawaii in 1989, was struck by a rogue wave that slammed him down on the sand, resulting in a broken neck. He was thus paralyzed and spent the next 12 years surviving in a respirator. Overcoming his injuries to some degree, he was fitted with a computer and an air-driven keyboard by which means he continued to communicate to his friends and write about Gyro.

He was heavily vested in Veterans Affairs before his injury and continued to write and support veterans well after. At ceremonies in conjunction with a Veterans Day celebration in 2000, he was on stage to assist as his brother read the speech that Bud had prepared for the event, embraced within his respirator.

However, it is not only for his contributions as a war hero, his business success, or his service through all the echelons of Gyro, that the award bears his name. He truly exemplified the brotherhood of friendship – the tireless participation, the doing for others, and the out-stretched hand of friendship.

He was Gyro personified, and thus it is fitting that the following District VIII members have received this award:

 The Honor Key

The Honor Key is awarded to a Gyro “for distinguished and unselfish service over and above the call of duty, with such services thus bringing honor to, and respect for, our fraternity in the national & international field”.

It should be noted that service at the International level is not a prerequisite, but service to International is. This award is appropriate for the Gyro who 1) has given extensively of his time and talents supporting expansion efforts that transcend club and district boundaries, 2) continues to be a constant symbol throughout International of what Gyro spirit is or 3) by his extraordinary achievements and/or remarkable service outside of the Fraternity, that his association with Gyro brings honor and recognition to this organization. Any Gyro may nominate and submit supporting data and make recommendations to the Executive Council to support his nominee. If the nominee is approved by the Executive Council, the recommendation must be submitted to the Board of Governors for ratification.

The award itself consists of a plaque for hanging and a “key,” which is a replica of a Gyroscope complete with moving parts, to be worn by the recipient. When deceased, a recipient’s “key” is returned to Gyro Headquarters to be placed in a permanent display and identified by a silver name plate.

This award is considered to be the highest award that can be granted by Gyro International. To put it into perspective, it has been estimated that in the 100 years of Gyro’s existence, well over 20,000 men at some point have been members of our great Fraternity in 249 Clubs. There have been 160 Honor Keys presented in that period of time. Of those, 25 of the recipients are still living. Essentially all Past International Presidents have received the award.

Jimmie Hubbell Award.

Awarded Yearly for Contributing the Most to the External or Internal Expansion of Gyro.

Jimmie Hubbell, a charter member of the Cleveland Gyro Club when it was created in 1912, remained a staunch member of the fraternity all his life. It was Jimmie who offered the name for the club, based it has been assumed, on the steadfast position of that amazing device, the gyroscope, during the year.
Years later, in 1974, Jimmie, still thinking of Gyro, proposed a special recognition be given ear year to “deserving individuals” who contribute to the expansion of membership. In response, Gyro created the award named in his honor.ard (External or Internal Expansion)

Lifetime Achievement Award (The Edward Steinbacher)

The Edward “Ed” Steinbacher Lifetime Achievement Award which may be presented annyally at Convention “In Recognition of Extraordinary, Magnaminous and Perpetual Service to the Gyro Fraternity of Friendship”.

In 2005 the Executive Council of Gyro, in order to recognize the dedication of individuals, over an extended period of time to the cause of Gyro, decided to create a special award. They chose to title it the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Gyro Ed Steinbacher, of the Gyro Club of Milwaukee, and Past District Governor of District II, had just died, and it seemed a perfect time to honor this man, who exemplified just the qualities they sought to recognize.

Nominations for this award are made by any Gyro Club, District or by Gyro International, and any Gyro can become a candidate. International officers review and consider all nominations and present the award or awards at the next annual convention. The award seeks to honor a member who has made significant recent contributions to Gyro and who has also given of his time over the course of at least twenty years. It is symbolized by a plaque given to the recipient, with his name prominently displayed thereon.

It is fitting that this award honors Gyro Ed Steinbacher. Ed was an involved member of his own club, serving as Club President and for many years as the Secretary/Treasurer. He was the recipient of the Gyro Award of Merit, the Honor Key, and the Gyro of the Year Award.

As Governor of District II, he also served as a valued member of the Gyro International Board of Governors. A retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force and a veteran of World War II, Ed was active in his community and his church. He was affable, handsome, and erudite. Most of all, he was a leader and a tireless worker for Gyro. He was, in the words of a fellow Milwaukee Gyro “A man who lived to praise God, love his family, love his country and serve his fellow man.”

The Award of Merit