The Four Way Test

One of the internet Rotary forums I belong to asked the question, “How does your club close your weekly meeting.”  Until I read some of the posts, I never realised that there were different ways of doing it.  I assumed that the way my club closes was the standard approach right across the organisation.

Hucknall close with all Rotarians and guests standing and saying the International Toast which is “Rotary and Peace the World over.”  Many clubs finish their meetings with this  toast. The members don’t think twice about it – but they should. It isn’t an idle wish, but a vision that our organisation really can make happen.

In 1940 the world was at war. Paul Harris, founder of Rotary wrote in The Rotarian magazine that February: ‘Must the best genius of men be devoted to the science of war and none to the science of averting it?’

The Second World War began to clarify views within our organisation that we could and should strive to make our world a far more peaceful place. After the war, The United Nations were formed. Around 100 Rotarians were deeply and fundamentally involved at senior levels in the formation of the most famous of all Organisations for Peace. Many people, even Rotarians don’t realise that Rotary has such an incredible history of ground breaking work in this field.

Some clubs close with their national anthems, others closed with the recitation of Rotary’s Four Way Test which was devised by  a U.S. Rotarian.  The statement and the principles it embodied also helped many others find their own ethical compass. Soon embraced and popularized by Rotary International, The Four-Way Test today stands as one of the organization’s hallmarks. It may very well be one of the most famous statements of our century.

Herbert J. Taylor, author of the Test, was a mover, a doer, a consummate salesman and a leader of men. He was a man of action, faith and high moral principle.

During the American Depression he was tasked with rescuing an ailing company.  As he thought about an ethical guideline for the company, he first wrote a statement of about 100 words but decided that it was too long. He continued to work, reducing it to seven points. In fact, The Four-Way Test was once a Seven-Way Test. It was still too long, and he finally reduced it to the four searching questions that comprise the Test today.

Next, he checked the statement with his four department heads: a Roman Catholic, a Christian Scientist, an Orthodox Jew and a Presbyterian. They all agreed that the Test’s principles not only coincided with their religious beliefs, but also provided an exemplary guide for personal and business life.

And so, “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do” was born:

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?

In 1942, Richard Vernor of Chicago, then a director of Rotary International, suggested that Rotary adopt the Test. The R.I. Board approved his proposal in January 1943 and made The Four-Way Test a component of the Vocational Service programme.  Herb Taylor transferred the copyright to Rotary International when he served as R.I. president in 1954-55, during the organization’s golden anniversary.

Eloquently simple, stunning in its power, undeniable in its results, The Four-Way Test offers a fresh and positive vision in the midst of a world full of tension, confusion and uncertainty.

Although as a club we are aware of the Four Way Test, it can be easy to take it for granted.  Last night was the monthly Business meeting of Hucknall Rotary Club, and prior to us closing with the International Toast, we recited together the Four Way Test.  This is something that I hope we now practice at all our business meetings.