Imagine if you will, an organization that calls for its members to be honest, act with integrity and fairness, and show consideration for relationships with others, while encouraging an environment of friendship and fellowship. Pair those characteristics with a commitment of community service, and you have described a Rotary Club.
The Rotary Code of Ethics is captured in the 4 – Way Test. The test is one that an individual uses to measure their own actions, or the actions of an organization over which they have control. It is not a tool to judge the actions of others, in fact, judging others would not be “fair to all concerned.”
Another consideration is the 4 – way test is that it is one test consisting of four equally important parts. A person might think, for example, that someone is wearing a particularly ugly bit of apparel, but even if it is that person’s truth, expressing that thought would not build good will and better friendships, so it is inappropriate under the test.
An often-overlooked part of the 4 – way test is the opening “of the things we think, say, and do.” It is a reminder that Rotarians should measure their thoughts, statements, and actions against the test. No one is perfect, but consistently employing the 4 – way test helps each of us become better people and better Rotarians by modifying our thoughts, words and actions.
The most important outcome of the 4 – Way test is it requires each Rotarian to treat everyone with respect and basic human dignity regardless of where they are from, what they look like, their gender, what they believe or their political stance. In these days where everyone wants to assign a label, wear a label, include or exclude others based on those labels, the 4 – Way Test is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian ethical approach. Acceptance of members in Rotary is not dependent upon labels, political acceptance, or which tribe a person chooses, instead, it is about who a person is and their willingness to simply be themselves.
The 4 – Way Test was developed in the early 1930’s by a Rotarian named Herbert Taylor. He was assigned the task to reorganize a company that was failing, whose debts exceeded its assets. To accomplish the task, the company needed to be streamlined, products and divisions eliminated, and jobs eliminated. Mr. Taylor devised the test as a way of measuring his and his company’s actions.
Consider the challenge he faced and consider how the 4 – Way Test would have been used. People had to be fired! How do you fire someone and do it in such a way that builds good will and better friendships? Understanding how it is fair to all concerned is easier, because some must lose their jobs, or all will lose their jobs. How Mr. Taylor was able to let people go and build good will and better friendships had to have been a challenge.
Should you find the Rotary Code of Ethics, or the opportunity for friendship and fellowship something of interest, feel free to visit a local Rotary Club. You will be welcome!
The Rotary Club of Conroe meets Tuesdays at noon at Honor Cafe, 103 N. Thompson Street, in downtown Conroe.
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