What is Rotary?
Rotary International, the world's first service club organization, is an international humanitarian service organization made up of more than 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas, with a total membership of 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders. Rotary clubs carry out an array of humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange projects and activities that address the underlying causes of conflict, such as poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and lack of clean water.
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Four-Way Test
Followed by Rotarians worldwide in their business and professional lives, The Four-Way Test was created by Herbert J. Taylor (Rotary International President, 1954-55) in 1932 and adopted by Rotary International in 1943. It has since been translated into more than 100 languages and is used by organizations and individuals throughout the world. It is a simple guide that asks:
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 be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Source: Rotary Basics (Rotary International); The Four Way Test (Clifford L. Dochterman)
Resources:
What's Rotary?
This Is Rotary
Rotary Basics
About PolioPlus
The Four Way Test
Becoming a Rotarian
Why Join Your Local Rotary Club?
How Rotarians Can Lead The Way
Rotary International's Website
The Four Way Test Means Business