Membership in ROTARY is based on a member’s vocation, striving to create a microcosm of its community’s business and professional world. This unique feature provides the source for Rotary’s historic commitment to vocational service,the second of Rotary’s four Avenues of Service. Through vocational service, Rotarians are expected to adhere to and promote high ethical standards in all their business dealings, recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations, and contribute their professional expertise and skills to addressing societal problems and needs. The club and its members share responsibility for promoting vocational service. Each club should develop projects that allow members to use their business and professional skills. Members are expected to contribute to these projects and to conduct their own business dealings in accordance with Rotary principle.
Historically, Rotarians have promoted the practice of high ethical standards as part
of their commitment to vocational service. Two tools developed by Rotarians —
The Four-Way Test and the Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions —
provide a road map for practicing ethical behavior in the workplace and other
areas of life.
The Four-Way Test
The Four-Way Test was conceived in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, a member of the
Rotary Club of Chicago who served as the 1954-55 president of Rotary International.
Having been assigned the task of saving a company from bankruptcy, Taylor
developed the test as an ethical guide to follow in all business matters. The
company’s survival was credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary
International in 1934, The Four-Way Test remains an essential standard against
which Rotarians measure ethical behavior. The test has been translated into dozens
of languages and promoted by Rotarians worldwide.
The Four-Way Test
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?
Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions:
As a Rotarian engaged in a business or profession, I am expected to:
1) Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve;
2) Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my
vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my
community;
3) Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest
ethical standards in my chosen vocation;
4) Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers,
the public, and all those with whom I have a business or professional
relationship;
5) Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful
to society;
6) Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people,
to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the
quality of life in my community;
7) Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the
public concerning my business or profession;
8) Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage
not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.
Advancing high ethical standards in the workplace
Rotarians can use their standing as business leaders and respected members of all
professions to promote and advance high ethical standards by setting a positive
example among employees, associates, and the community in general. All types of
work-related interaction offer an opportunity to encourage ethical behavior. Here are a
few specific ways that Rotarians can integrate ethics into their daily work life:
• In hiring, training, and review procedures, include discussion and emphasis of
honesty, accountability, fairness, and respect.
• In internal communications, praise and encourage exemplary behavior both on
and off the job.
• In relations with customers, vendors, and business associates, communicate and
demonstrate your personal commitment to high ethical standards.
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