While Henry Giessenbier spearheaded the birth of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, C.W. "Bill" Otto is remembered as the founder of the Lansing Jaycees and "father"... of the Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1929, Otto went to work as secretary-manager for the Lansing Chamber of Commerce. He sensed the need for a young men's organization and put his ideas to work. At every opportunity while visiting other Michigan cities he talked up the Junior Chamber program.

Giessenbier Memorial Award ( USJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Michigan JCI Senate
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Michigan Jaycees annually recognize chapters that have done the best job in developing "the WHOLE member through the WHOLE chapter." This award is known as the Giessenbier Memorial Award. The award is presented annually to one chapter in each population division.

Henry Giessenbier Jr. (1892-1935) was the founder and first President of The United States Junior Chamber, which was established in 1920. He conceived the idea of a young person's organization dedicated to the personal and professional development of its members.

Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award ( SJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Ionia Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Dennis Hamilton Memorial award is presented annually to up to ten (10) outstanding State Vice Presidents who, regardless of the name of their offices, are responsible for statewide programming.

The award is named in honor of Dennis Hamilton, who, while serving as an Administrative Vice President of the Oklahoma Junior Chamber, died in an airplane crash on April 7, 1973, at the age of 30.

Mark Pankner Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Michigan JCI Senate )
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Mark Pankner award is presented annually to an Outstanding Michigan Jaycees Executive Board Member.

The award is named in honor Mark Pankner, who served as Executive Director of the Michigan Jaycees from 1976 to 1981.

Betty Sexton Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Greater Muskegon Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Betty Sexton award is presented annually to an Outstanding Michigan Jaycees Statewide Vice President

The award is named in honor Betty Sexton, who served as the first President of the Michigan Jaycees Auxiliary in 1944-45.

Steve Little Memorial Award ( USJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Hastings Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Steve Little Memorial award shall be presented annually to the most outstanding State Vice President, who regardless of the name of their offices, are in charge of statewide or area-wide membership activities.

The award is named in honor of Steve Little who, while serving as President of the Wisconsin Junior Chamber, died in a car accident in January 1982 while driving to a Junior Chamber meeting.

Avedis Samarian Memorial Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Livonia Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Ave Samarian Memorial award is presented annually to up to two (2) outstanding Regional Directors in the state. Recipients are eligible to become candidates for the USJCC Clint Dunagan Memorial Award.

The award is named in honor of Avedis Samarian from Livonia, Michigan, where he served as local chapter President from 1984-85. He went on to serve the Junior Chamber in many roles at the state and national level including ONTO Portland Chair in 1992 and the following year as Region H Director. He died while serving as Region H Director from a massive heart attack.

Sandy K. Luikes Memorial Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Region C Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Sandy Luikes Memorial award is presented annually to up to three (3) outstanding District Directors in the state. Recipients are eligible to become candidates for the USJCC M. Keith Upson Memorial award.

The award is named in honor of Sandy K. Luikes from Wyoming, Michigan. Sandy joined the Wyoming Jaycees in April 1993 and served as District C-2 Director in 1997-98 and as Region C Director in 1999. She died from complications resulting from pneumonia at the age of 37 in March 1999.

Seiji Horiuchi Memorial Award ( USJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Monroe Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Seiji Horiuchi Memorial award is presented annually to up to five (5) outstanding State Chairpersons/Program Managers.

The award is named in honor of Seiji Horiuchi, who served as Vice President of The U.S. Junior Chamber in 1958-59. He is credited with originating the concept of the Chairman's Planning Guide.

David Lichwala Memorial Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The David Lichwala Memorial award is presented annually to up to twenty (20) outstanding Local Presidents in the state.

The award is named in honor of David Lichwala from Dearborn, who served as the Michigan Jaycees Management Development Vice President in 1985-86, and as Editor of the Michigander in 1987-88. David Lichwala passed away after a short illness, at the age of 33 in 1990.

Martin P. Luthy Memorial Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Jackson Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Martin P. Luthy Memorial award is presented annually to up to ten (10) of the most outstanding Local Presidents in the state.

The award is named in honor of Martin P. Luthy, who served as the first president of the Michigan Jaycees in 1925-26. Luthy lived to the age of 94, when he passed away in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, where he spent his retirement years. Martin P. Luthy is interred at a Chicago area cemetery. Selected recipients of this award are eligible to become candidates for the USJCC Charles Kulp Jr. Memorial award.

Doc Huldin Memorial Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Wyoming Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Dr. Raymond E. "Doc" Huldin Memorial award is presented annually to the most outstanding Michigan JCI Senator, who is remains an active and enrolled member of a local chapter. The selection is based on nominations received from local chapters.

The award is named in honor of Raymond E. "Doc" Huldin, #3658 who served as the first president of the Michigan JCI Senate in 1973-74.

Bob Beard Key Communicator Awards ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by Bob Beard
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Bob Beard Key Communicator Awards are presented annually to the most outstanding publications in the Michigan Jaycees. Each local chapter newsletter, District newsletter and Regional newsletter, is eligible for year-end consideration for the Bob Beard Key Communicator Awards.

The award is named in honor of Bob Beard, who served as the Publisher of the "Michigander" from 1962 to 1988, winning 14 national awards in 15 years. He also served as national chairman of publications for the US Jaycees "Future" magazine. Bob remains active with the Michigan Jaycees to this day, serving as the historian and providing Michigander marketing assistance.

Paul D. Ballinger Outstanding Web Site Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Paul D Ballinger Outstanding Web Site Award is presented annually to the most outstanding web site in the Michigan Jaycees. Each local chapter web site linked from the Michigan Jaycees web site, is eligible for year-end consideration for the Paul D. Ballinger Outstanding web site award.

The award is named in honor of Paul D. Ballinger, who served as the Executive Director of the Michigan Jaycees from 1994 to 2003. He developed the first Michigan Jaycees state web site, and won the first 3 consecutive USJCC state web site awards. Paul was also the winner of the USJCC Outstanding Paid Staff award in 1995-96, which was the last year the award was presented.

Pamela Cunningham Memorial Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Howell Jaycees
- Presented at Winter Assembly

The Pamela Cunningham Memorial Award is presented annually for outstanding implementation of public relations on a Chapter project (not on an overall PR program). Entries are judged for quantity, quality, and innovation in PR results.

The award is named in honor of Pamela Cunningham a past Press Secretary of the Michigan Jaycees. Cunningham was a very dynamic member of the Howell Jaycee Women and the Howell Jaycees. She was one of the first women sworn into the Jaycees after the merger of the two organizations in 1984. Pamela Cunningham, who served the Michigan Jaycees in many other capacities, was killed in a traffic accident in 1990.

Jaycee Jeopardy ( USJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Jaycees
- Presented at Fall Assembly

The Jaycee Jeopardy is presented annually at the Fall Assembly, to the individual demonstrating the most knowledge regarding Jaycees history, in the Michigan Junior Chamber for that year. The first-place winner is selected from a Jaycee Jeopardy competition made up of the 4 quarterly assembly winners. The winner is eligible to become candidate for the USJCC Jaycee Jeopardy Award.

Jaycee Jeopardy is a question-and-answer contest dealing mainly with the history of the Junior Chamber organization, its officers, goals, and activities. The competition is held at each of the quarterly Michigan Jaycees Assemblies to determine the most outstanding historians in the Junior Chamber for that year. Sources of information may include The Jaycee Book, Jaycees Magazine, A Legacy of Leadership (the USJCC 75th anniversary history book), The Michigan Jaycees 75th Anniversary commemorative book, USJCC Annual Meeting, National Programs, and TOYA.

Steve McGowan Speak-Up Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Kentwood Jaycees
- Presented at Fall Assembly

The Steve McGowan Speak-Up Award is presented annually at the Fall Assembly, to the most outstanding speaker in the Michigan Junior Chamber for that year. The first-place winner is selected from a Speak-Up competition made up of the 4 quarterly assembly winners. The winner is eligible to become candidate for the USJCC Durward Howes Memorial Award.

The award is named in honor of Steve McGowan, who served as the Michigan Jaycees Internal Executive Vice President in 1976-77. Steve lives in Kentwood and remains involved with the Kentwood Jaycees.

C. William Brownfield ( USJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Rochester Area Jaycees
- Presented at Fall Assembly

The C. William Brownfield Memorial Award is presented annually at the Fall Assembly, to the most outstanding

(C. William Brownfield Cont.) first-year member in the Michigan Junior Chamber for that year. The first-place winner is selected from a Brownfield competition made up of the 4 quarterly assembly winners. The winner is eligible to become candidate for the USJCC C. William Brownfield Memorial Award.

The award is named in honor of Bill Brownfield, the author of the Jaycee Creed. Bill Brownfield recognized that the spirit and enthusiasm of the Junior Chamber movement came from the spirit of first-year members.

John H. Armbruster ( USJCC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Hastings Jaycees
- Presented at Fall Assembly

The John H. Armbruster "Keyman" Memorial Award is presented annually at the Fall Assembly, to the most outstanding member who has continued to show support, dedication, and enthusiasm following their first year of membership, in the Michigan Junior Chamber for that year. The first-place winner is selected from a Armbruster competition made up of the 4 quarterly assembly winners. The winner is eligible to become candidate for the USJCC John H. Armbruster "Keyman" Memorial Award.

The award is named in honor of John H. Armbruster in recognition of his long and faithful service to The U.S. Junior Chamber. He was a charter member of the St. Louis Junior Chamber and throughout his life, he contributed to the organization. John H. Armbruster founded The Junior Chamber Crew Club and through his publication, "Log of the S.S. Fellowship," he kept up correspondence with members across the nation and throughout the world for more than 40 years.

Bill Boonstra Write-Up Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Grand Haven Jaycees
- Presented at Fall Assembly

The Bill Boonstra Write-Up Award is presented annually at the Fall Assembly, to the most outstanding writer in the Michigan Junior Chamber for that year. The first-place winner is selected from a Write-Up competition made up of the 4 quarterly assembly winners. The winner is eligible to become candidate for the USJCC Write-Up Award.

The award is named in honor of Bill Boonstra, who served the Grand Haven Jaycees as local chapter President in 1965-66.

Tim Pope Memorial Award for Outstanding Young Governmental Leader
( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Novi Jaycees Senate Alumni
- Presented at OYM/DSA

The Tim Pope Memorial award for Outstanding Young Governmental Leader is presented annually to one outstanding young Governmental Leader whose leadership best demonstrates that "government should be of laws rather than of men" and that through integrity and insight, community betterment is a way of life.

The award in named in honor of Timothy Pope, who served the citizens of Novi, Michigan on the Novi City Council, the citizens of Michigan as a state legislative aide, the members of the Novi Jaycees as Community Development Vice President and the Michigan Jaycees as Chairman for Model Legislature. It was a tragedy for us all when Tim died due to injuries sustained in a car accident in 199x.

Pete and Norma Baldwin Family of the Year Award ( MIJC Designation )
- Sponsored by the Howell Jaycees
- Presented at OYM/DSA

The Pete and Norma Baldwin Family of the Year Award is presented annually to one family in the Michigan Jaycees who have promoted and exemplified the objectives and beliefs of the Jaycee Creed. The Award is presented at the Annual Outstanding Young Michiganders and Distinguished Service Awards program in June. The winning family is eligible to become candidate for the USJCC Andrew & Charlotte Mungenast Memorial Award.

The award is named in honor of Pete and Norma Baldwin. Pete Baldwin was one of the organizers of the Howell Jaycees and served as chapter president in 1949-50. Pete went on to served as a Michigan Jaycee Vice-President, Secretary, and National Director. Pete was the 31st President of the Michigan Jaycees and served as National Vice-President of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Norma supported Pete in his Jaycee career by keeping "home and hearth" and keeping track of their four children, too! Norma was very active in the Howell Jaycee Auxiliary and served as Chapter President in 1957-58. Norma Baldwin was the author of the Michigan Jaycee Auxiliary Creed.