Introduction: From the earliest days of Rotary, Rotarians have been concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as Rotary International’spresident) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. This 24-word test for employees to use in making decisions in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with suppliers and customers. The survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The 4-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.
It asks the following four questions:
Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Purpose: The purpose of the 4-Way Test Speech Contest is to foster the principles of ethics in every day life as well as in business. The Contest is designed to introduce high school students to Rotary by creating interest through a competitive speech contest, sponsored by their local Rotary club.
Goals: The specific goals of the Contest are:
To acquaint a large number of youth with Rotary, and specifically, the tenets of the 4 -Way Test.
To demonstrate and enhance Rotarians’ commitment to youth.
To heighten awareness of Rotary among parents, school officials, and the community at large.
To recognize, encourage and reward hard work and accomplishment in our youth.
To provide an opportunity for Rotarians to participate in a Community and Vocational Service which focuses on the 4-Way Test as our standard of behavior.
