THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

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 worthiness of all useful occupations and the dignifying by each Rotarian at his occupation to serve society.
• Third: The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal, business and community life.
• Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Rotary International is to support its member clubs in fulfilling the Object of Rotary by:

• Fostering unity among member clubs
• Strengthening and expanding Rotary around the world
• Communicating worldwide the work of Rotary
• Providing a system of international administration.

THE 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 4-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 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. 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?

The Four-Way Test can be applied profitably in relations with others in home, community, business, national and international life-particularly to proposed plans, policies, statements and advertising in business and the professions and to proposed legislation in government.