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 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 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?

 

This Years 4 Way Speech Contest
About the 4 Way Speech Contest
Previous 4 Way Speech Contest Winners
Some History Behind "The 4 Way Speech" Contest

2009 Contest

Nine high school students from Mount Anthony participated in the Bennington and Catamount Rotary Clubs' 4-Way Speech Contest on March 11. Although the topics of the speeches varied from a talk challenging the assumptions of college applications to the value of Barbie as an image for women, all were based on the Rotary Four Way Test questions of whether it is true, fair to all concerned, able to build good will and better friendships and to benefit all concerned. The judges and the audience agreed that it was hard to select winners from such a fine array of speeches.

Miles Selib won first place and $300. He talked about the value of his experience working in Somotillo, Nicaragua as an Interact student. Exchange student Selbi Arjanova won the $200 second prize for her speech about the value of being an exchange student. Jim Weber won $100 in third place for his account of his work with the Shaftsbury Fire Department. The first and second place winners will go to the Rotary District 7870 semi-finals. Last year, first place winner Emily Adams went on to the District Finals where she won second place.

2008 Contest

Nine high school students from Mount Anthony and Long Trail participated in the Bennington and Catamount Rotary Clubs' 4-Way Speech Contest on March 5.

Emily Adams won first place and $300. She talked about the value of her experience as a counselor at a camp for disadvantaged children. Charlotte Monaghan won second place and $200 with a presentation calling for greater respect and understanding between generations. Miles Selib won third place honors and $100 with a speech about the benefits of a diverse society.

In addition, three international exchange students gave excellent presentations and all the participants demonstrated their humanitarian spirit.
 
This page was updated: Sunday, 07-Mar-2010 12:01:57 EST