Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.  For more information regarding Rotary International, please visit www.rotary.org.

Click here for information regarding the Paul Harris Fellowship.

Rotary Volunteers lead the way in Polio eradication. Click here to learn more.

   

Service Above Self

In 1911 the motto "He Profits Most Who Serves Best was approved at the second Rotary Convention. In 1950 the motto "Service Above Self" was added as a second motto. 1989, the Rotary International Council on Legislation established "Service Above Self" as the principal motto of Rotary since it best explains the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service.

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 in the world is Rotary's "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. The message should be known and followed by all Rotarians.
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?"

Avenues of Service

The object of Rotary is "to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise."

The term "Four Avenues of Service" is frequently used in Rotary. The "Avenues" refer to the four elements of the Object of Rotary: club service, vocational service, community service and international service. They describe the primary areas of Rotary activity.

The ideal is fostered through the following four areas:

1) through the development of acquaintance as the opportunity for service;
2) the promotion of high ethical standards in business and professions;
3) through service in one's personal, business and community life; and
4) the advancement of international understanding, good-will and Peace.

 

US Rotarians: earn $25 for your Rotary club by applying online and using your card to make $75 in qualifying purchases. You also may obtain an application from your Club Treasurer, Deb Davis.

webmaster: Deb Davis