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 Four-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 Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.
Newport Rotary, founded in 1955, has always had a 4 Way Test plaque displayed during its meetings. The original plaque is located on the podium at the Newport Rotary Building.
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| Newport Rotary's own PDG Derryl Garner |
Newport Rotary's special relationship with The 4 Way Test deepened in 1974 when a young Rotary Governor-Elect from our club, Derryl Garner, met and befriended Herb Taylor during his training at Lake Placid, New York. The club has frequently been regaled with the story of that meeting, and ends each and every meeting with the recital of the test, which asks the following four questions:
"Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?""
