Our Guiding Principles

The Objects 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:

• FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• SECOND: 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;
• THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
• FOURTH: 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

The Four-Way Test is the ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional lives. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages.

Rotarians are asked to challenge themselves:

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?

Importantly, no one question is more important than the other. Each question in the Four Way Test is to be considered equally in combination with the other questions; none has more weight than the other.