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:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
2. 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;
3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
4. 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

From the early 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 companby is credited to this simple philosphy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The 4-way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages abd 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?

Motto of Rotary

“Service Above Self”

Top ten things that a new member of Rotary
should do

10. Attend the regular meeting of another Club
9. Read an issue of Rotarian magazine
8. Read the Object of Rotary and the Four-way Test
7. Donate to The Rotary Foundation
6. Visit one of the Rotary landmarks
5. Be the chair of a Club’s service project
4. Be an advisor for Rotaract, Interact or Rotary Adopt A School
3. Attend the District Conference or District Assembly
2. Attend a Rotary Institute or Rotary International Convention
1. Introduce Rotary to a friend or vice versa