Gyro International


Gyro International is a non-profit social, service, and fraternal club for men located in the United States, Canada and Japan. Gyro was founded by Paul Schwan, Clarence Handerson, and Edmund Kagy, three college friends, in April 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio. The primary purpose of the club is the promotion of fun and friendship amongst men of all nations.
The first formal meeting was held on June 24, 1912, during which a constitution was presented and accepted, even though the club had no official name at the time. On January 7, 1913 the name Gyro was adopted. It was drawn from the word gyroscope, symbolizing the ability to maintain a desired course and attitude regardless of outside influences.

Playground movement

In Canada during the first half the twentieth century, Gyro clubs were notable patrons of playgrounds, along with other service clubs like the Kinsmen and the Kiwanis.
Gyro parks are found in the Province of Alberta in the cities of Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.
In the Province of British Columbia Gyro Parks are in the cities of Trail, Saanich, Penticton, Nanaimo, Victoria, Port Alberni, and Prince George.
The Nanaimo club is still very active with parks and continues to donate money and manpower to build and maintain parks.