Herb Taylor

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 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 test 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:

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Calendar
November 30, 2007, Deadline for Four Way Test Speech Contest Registration. Send $275 with registration form.
January 1-31, 2008, Calendar Club level Four Way Test Speech Contest for February. Line-up speakers and judges.
February 1-28, 2008, Hold Club level Four Way Test Speech Contest.
March 1-31, 2008, Group and Regional Level Four Way Test Speech Contest
April 25-27, 2008, Final Four Way Test Speech Contest

Calendar
November 28, 2008, Deadline for Four Way Test Speech Contest Registration. Send $275 with registration form.
January 1-31, 2009, Calendar Club Level Four Way Test Speech Contest for February. Line-up speakers and judges.
February 1-28, 2009, Club Level Four Way Test Speech Contest.
March 1-31, 2009, Group Level Four Way Test Speech Contest
April 1-30, 2009, Regional Level Final Four Way Test Speech Contest

May 28-31, 2009, Final Level Four Way Test Conference