The
Rotary Four-Way Test
From the earliest days
of the organization, Rotarians were
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 Four-Way Test, which was created
in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor
(who later served as RI president) when
he was asked to take charge of a company
that was facing bankruptcy.
This 24-word test for
employees to follow in their business
and professional lives became the guide
for sales, production, advertising, and
all relations with dealers and
customers, and the survival of the
company is credited to this simple
philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943,
The Four-Way Test has been translated
into more than a hundred languages and
published in thousands of ways. It asks
the following four questions:
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Is it the Truth?
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Businessmen |
Do
not sell adulterated products.
Be sure that the features and benefits that you claim about your
product are true. |
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Job Recruiters |
Reveal the true compensation of the overseas workers your
company sends out. |
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Parents of Athletes |
Give the true data about the age of your son or daughter
participating in any sports competition where age limit is part
of the rule for qualification. |
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Media |
Reporting, writing, broadcast or telecast are true and based on
facts and not based on rumors.
Avoid sensationalism and reporting of half truths. |
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Is it Fair
to All Concerned?
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Employers |
Give your employees fair wages and a fair share of the benefits
that they should enjoy to maintain a decent and respectable
standard of living. |
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Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
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Professional and Amateur Sports Players |
Follow the motto: “And when the Great Scorer writes down after
your name, He writes not win or loss but how you played the
game.” Did you play, participate and get involved in sports in
such a way that you contributed in building goodwill and better
friendship among players and spectators? |
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Political Leaders |
Your statements are always in the news, print, radio, and
television. Be sure those statements can bring goodwill and
better friendship. |
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Church Leaders, Priests, and Ministers |
Your parishioners are your regular captive audience. Make sure
your preachings, sermons, and official pronouncements build
goodwill and better friendship among people of various religious
and political persuasions. |
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Will it be
Beneficial to All Concerned?
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Civic Clubs and Service Organizations |
Undertake projects that will benefit a great majority of those
who need help rather than projects that will bring bigger
publicity for your organization. |
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Members of the Professional Groups |
Render your services not only to those who can afford to pay
high fees but also to those who cannot afford but who who need
your legal, medical, and other professional services. |
Rotary Club of Aurora