Christiana Rotary - About Rotary

There are many ways that distinguish Rotary from other worthwhile organizations around the world. Such unique ways include weekly attendance being a requirement, the Four Avenues of Service, and the close association with businesses of all types, sizes and shapes. Although Rotary meetings are not a place to solicit business, nor are members allowed to use club rosters for solicitation without member permission, Rotarians seem to do business with other Rotarians. The following creed by which Rotarians are to measure not only their own actions, but the actions of others, could well be one of the major reasons Rotarians like to do business with others who understand, and more importantly live by, the Four Way Test.

"A simple evaluation 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?"

Herbert Taylor

Created The

4-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 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor (a Rotarian who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

This 24-word code of ethics 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. The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943, and has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.

Information on this page came from The The 4-Way Test page on the Rotary International web site.