Some Reflections on 4-way test

" You must be the change you want to see in the world" said Mahatma Gandhi.

The 4 Way Test of Rotary has endured so long because it teaches of the value of change within ourselves. If we only truly practise it our lives would be enriched immeasurably.

1. IS IT THE TRUTH? - to value truth is a sign of nobility. The pursuit of truth is the avowed purpose of any scientific enquiry. TRUTH is objective and sometimes bitter to confront - especially the TRUTH about ourselves. Nonetheless it is an inescapable TRUTH - that in the end we will all have to face the TRUTH about ourselves - THE FINAL ANALYSIS. As Shakespeare so eloquently put it in Hamlet - when we journey to "that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns." So perhaps Rotary's first lesson is - TO THINE OWNSELF BE TRUE.

2. IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED? - A close ally to truth is fairness. The TRUTH is only a worthwhile objective if we use it fairly. Fairness itself is a controversial and contested concept. But in simple parlance, it means treating everyone with equal concern and respect. Respect for one another is a key ingredient of the 4 Way Test. As the American writer Jackson Brown Jr. said, “Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”

3. WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS - this is the key to the Rotary way. It is our friendship that binds us in a common bond of service to humanity. That bond must be preserved at all times. Sometimes even at the expense of TRUTH. The TRUTH is the tool by which we are supposed to build goodwill and better friendships - NOT DESTROY IT.

4. But TRUTH is only a worthwhile pursuit in life if we use it for the benefit of all. WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED? - This requires us to consider the value of TRUTH within the context in which it is applied. We need to asked whether the context requires us to subjugate the TRUTH to some other value like - KINDNESS or COMPASSION? There are situations where the TRUTH is compromised or hidden in order to pursue a greater benefit. To blindly pursue TRUTH at any cost is not the Rotary way. To do a greater good - compromise may be required.

Rotary service is not a destination, it is a journey. In that journey I have learned that perhaps it is better to be wise rather than clever. Wisdom teaches us to value friendship and cherish it as does our 4 Way Test. “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Anon 

 - PP Dr Siva Ananthan, RC Brickfields D3300

At 1:56PM on 6 July 2009, Rotn. Placid Oluigbo wrote: As a young man, I got attracted to Rotary because of the 4 way test. Before I joined Rotary, I believed if a roup of people should live by the 4 way test, then the world will soon be changed to become blissful, wars will cease, nations will be other nation's keepers, armed robbery and crime will be consigned to history. Then I joined the club to contribute in changing the world. I saw that many Rotarians do not tell the truth neither do they consider fairness in their relation with others. The marvel is that every Rotarian recites the 4 way test at least once every week, but it ends there. I think the best way to change the world is by changing ourselves. It is not good enough for Rotarians to just profess and recite the 4 way test every week, it should be put into practice in our individual relationship with fellow Rotarians, then it will gradually rub off on our families and then the world at large. If this is done, Rotarians will not need to look for people to invite to club meetings as prospective Rotarians, rather, those people will approach you and say " I want to become a Rotarian just like you"

- Rotarian Placid Oluigbo, RC Festac Town, District 9110 Nigeria

Nothing can better describe life's expectations than the Rotary 's 4-Way test.The 4-Way Test best summarises all that is expected of all beings here on earth.Our duty to one another during the course of interracting with ourselves is making sure that our best is given to enliven and better the lives of one another in all circumstances. Anyone who applies this test in all his life's long journey will never be found short of any good things because unknowingly to him,must have put succour,smiles and lifetime happiness in the lives of others. Let the whole World inculcate this 4-Way Test into its system.

- Wunmi Oyewole ,President, RC Agege D9110 Nigeria

The Four-Way Test unites us by asserting a set of ethical values that transcend religious beliefs, promote tolerance and avoid judgmental pronouncements. I have often found myself about to say something that, though it is "true" and indeed might be "fair." it fails the other tests of being "beneficial" and "building goodwill and better friendships." (As I grow in Rotary the value of SILENCE therefore has become increasingly potent!) The Four-Way Test is hard to live; it involves not just what I say and do, but what I think. It sets a bar I may never reach in my lifetime, but in the conscious attempt to live by it I become a better person to myself, my family and my community.

- Robert Goodwin, RI Dist 5060

Source: www.rotary.org

A new look at global ethics and The Four-Way Test

By RI Director-elect Lars-Olof Fredricksson 

Moral codes and ethics give us tools but also raise questions to be answered: How should we live? What is morally good and bad, right and wrong? Shall we aim at happiness or knowledge? Virtue or the creation of beautiful objects? If we choose happiness, will it be our own or the happiness of all?

And what of the more specific questions that face us? Is it right to be dishonest for a good cause? Can we justify living in opulence while elsewhere in the world people are starving? Is going to war warranted in cases where innocent people will likely be killed?

Ethics deals with such questions at all levels. The subject’s core consists of the fundamental issues of practical decision making, and its major concerns include the nature of ultimate value and the standards by which human actions can be judged right or wrong.

For Rotary, The Four-Way Test is the cornerstone of all action. It has been for years, and it will be in the future. 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 test is one of the hallmarks of Rotary. Since it was developed in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who later became RI president, it has never ceased to be relevant. Its four brief questions are not based on culture or religion. Instead, they are a simple checklist for ethical behavior. They transcend generations and national borders.

As Rotarians, we should have The Four-Way Test in mind in every decision we make, all day long. Our utmost responsibility is to speak the truth, to be fair, to build goodwill and better friendships, and to do our very best in all situations.

Life is very turbulent today, and people all over the world are exhausted in their duties. Where are the dreams of a better world? Where are we? Who are we? What is our duty to ourselves, neighbors, and fellow citizens? Where are charity and our joint responsibility to humankind?

Now more than ever, we need a vision and knowledge of what is happening around us, a new view of cultural and religious phenomena, without dividing humankind into limited and subjective categories. That’s the tenet for a better world and a job for us Rotarians: not engaging in politics, but serving without any boundaries.

This happens through our programs, and it happens through acting as a guide for international coexistence, providing a forum for dialogue and discussion worldwide, giving perspective to views and models, finding new solutions using Rotarians’ great knowledge and expertise, and having interfaith, multicultural, and ethical standards as guiding principles in all dealings.

No divine right can be vested in anyone to pronounce the final word or the ultimate truth. In matters of faith and religion, prescriptive morality should be avoided, as it often is the root cause of hostility and divisiveness. Global ethics is based on an interfaith mind and ecumenical way of living. 

The one universal, unsurpassed principle expressed by nearly every major religion and values system is similar to the golden rule: Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Today, it is especially confusing to determine what is really right and wrong. But the fundamentals of Rotary are bound to universal ethics and humanity without any boundaries between race, religion, or ethnic background.

Rotary offers a possibility for solving ethical problems. Well-trained, well-engaged in social life, and with strong consciences, Rotarians must try to address these issues through Rotary’s vocational and community service programs. People all over the world need more safety, tolerance, understanding, and love. They want to live in peace.

Tolerance, fairness, respect, compassion, and hope are particularly needed today. But what are tolerance and fairness? Are they only a question of sharing resources, rights, and obligations, or more a question of an ongoing dialogue? For an effective discourse, we have to identify the real problems, discuss them, and try to find compromises.

We should know what the human culture is made of, and what it means to different people and to the identity of other nationalities. The knowledge of other cultures, along with the skill to face the dissimilarities in our lives and lifestyles, seems to be a key point and the biggest issue.

Rotary, whose club members represent many cultures and religious beliefs and are committed to high ethical standards, can support mutual understanding and serve as a tool for peace. Rotarians and Rotary clubs all over the world — in small country towns and huge capitals, in the East and West, South and North — may provide enduring forums for peace discussions and together work for peace.

[Lars-Olof Fredriksson, of the Rotary Club of Äänekoski, Finland, is a retired major in the Finnish air force and has a master’s degree in political science.]

Source: www.rotary.org

Rotary Clubs across the District 3020 celebrate Vocational Service

From the desk of the District Director, Vocational Service


Throughout the Rotary International District 3020 which is spread across 6 revenue districts of the coastal part of Andhra Pradesh, India, Rotarians have celebrated vocational service in many ways during October, designated for this. The District Seminar on Vocational Service was held in Kakinada on 3rd October, 2010, in a spacious and pleasant ambience provided by Surya Kala Mandir.

My home club RC Peddapuram-Samalkot hosted it. And I had the privilege of conducting it as Seminar Leader, thanks to District Governor Dr. Damodar Reddy and District Counselor (Voc. Service) PDG Anajaneya Murthy.

Inaugurated by DG Dr. DamodarReddy, the plenary part of the seminar was marked by presentation of District Vocational Service award to Dr. I.V. Rao, a renowned physician, former Director of A.P. Medical and Health Services and present Vice-Chancellor of NTR University of Health Sciences.

Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao, a spiritualist and wellknown speaker delivered a motivating keynote address on the importance of integrity in and dedication to service through one's profession. The other guests of honor, Sri Ch. S. Venugopalakrishna, Chairman, Zilla Parishad and Sri Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy, MLA, Kakinada City - both being Rotarians - narrated to the 300+ audience how they were motivated by the service of Rotarians and emulated them whenever an opportunity presented. 

In the second session of the seminar, District Counselor-Vocational Service PDG. Anjaneya Murthy stressed on going back to the basics for a meaningful service through vocations.

PDG. Chaya Devi highlighted the need and ways and means to shape the presentation generation towards adulthood driven by ethical values, through value-based education.

Rtn. Dr. C Suryaprakasa Rao spoke on striking balance between profession and ethics.

DGE Ramu stressed on recognizing one's own profession as the best opportunity to serve the society and quoted several examples from the district, for ex., how a hotelier has been providing free meal to poor and meritorious students year after year. He also exhorted the rotarians to fulfill the governor's goals in vocational service.

A brief interactive session followed.

The host club RC Peddapuram-Samalkot has put up an impressive show with an excellent team work and wonderful hospitality, besides 74% attendance (40/54). The registrations excluding host club were 135.

Host president RV Subba Raju, Seminar Chairman Ambati Subrahmanyam and all rotarians of the club deserve rich compliments.

Vocational Service Highlights (International)

District 3230 sends Indian fisherman to Vietnam to learn advanced fishing techniques

District 3230 (India) has been devoted to disaster relief and recovery since a tsunami struck the Indian coast in 2004. In the wake of the disaster, the livelihoods of local fishermen were destroyed. In response, the District 3230 Tsunami Relief Committee sent seven fishermen from Tamil Nadu and a team leader to Vietnam for training in new methods of fishing, sea farming, and fish processing. The committee covered the cost of the 20-day training session. Vietnam was chosen because of its use of advanced technology, which is heavily supported by the government’s anti-poverty programs. Learn more about this project and the district’s other relief efforts on the District 3230 website. 

 

 

Club partnership results in high school internships

 

Since 2006, the Rotary Club of Bern, Switzerland, has partnered with the Rotary Club of Essen-Baldeney, Germany, to arrange short vocational internships to help economically disadvantaged students at Essen’s Gustav-Heinemann-Gesamtschule (high school) choose a career path. Every March, the school conducts an orientation and teachers select three students for the internships, which last two to three weeks and take place between August and October. Their travel expenses and a small allowance are covered by the Essen-Baldeney club, while the Bern club lines up host families and internships based on the students’ interests.

 

Windmills increase income for Indian salt harvesters

 

Five families that harvest salt from the desert in western India have Rotarians to thank for windmills that will double their income. The Rotary Club of Wadhwan City, India, and the Rotary E-Club of the Southwest, Arizona, USA, purchased 10 windmills using a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant and club and District 5510 (Arizona) contributions. The windmills pump salt-laden water from underground into shallow ponds, where the salt can be separated through evaporation. Read more.

 

See how clubs are using vocational service to help their communities in Rotary Video Magazine, Collection 4

Are you a dental professional?

Then you might be interested in joining the Rotarian Action Group of Dental Volunteers (RAGDV)

RAGDV provides dental service throughout the world and promotes awareness of opportunities for service in the vocation of dentistry. This year, a RAGDV team led a group of three faculty members and 20 of the top students from the University of Florida College of Dentistry to serve in the villages of Mindo and Los Bancos, Ecuador. The group worked with a local university to set up dental stations where the volunteers treated hundreds of patients over a five-day period. The Rotarians involved plan to make a long-term, sustainable impact by returning and establishing additional community development initiatives. Learn more about the Rotarian Action Group of Dental Volunteers at www.ragdv.com.

If you are NOT a dentist, then too, you have the option of joining one or more of several Rotary Action Groups that suit your interests. Visit www.rotary.org.