Thoughts on the 4 Way Test Vs Happy Dollars
The following is just a few thoughts regarding our giving “Happy Dollars” to share our news, (good or bad) with fellow Rotarians. What a great way to pick up a “couple-a extra bucks” for our club projects and learn about what is happening with others. But how does the 4 Way Test relate to this wonderful vehicle for sharing and fellowship?
“Is it the truth?” Why of course! Admittedly some of us want to make things seem greater or better than they are, but overall, yes.
“Is it fair to all concerned?” We can look at this in several ways. When we relate a story about a friend, or family member, we should ask ourselves, are we sharing too much information? Also, we might ask, are we overstepping the opportunity to share our personal events?
My involvement in Rotary dates back to 1990 and most always “Happy Dollars” has been for sharing very brief news and events. On the other side of the coin (or dollar), some of us take more time than we should and unintentionally may violate questions 2, 3 and 4 of the “4 Way Test”.
Rotary meetings are scheduled to last an hour. Broken down, that allows 30 minutes for fellowship and a meal and 30 minutes for announcements, awards, inductions, business, project discussion, reports and our programs. If a member speaks on a topic that is not part of the clubs regular agenda for more than 30 seconds, it infringes on the time left to accomplish any business at hand. Happy Dollar narratives often exceed 10 to 15 minutes or longer, sometimes it infringes on the program time, thus causing the program chair to feel embarrassed, especially if they have invited a guest speaker to address the club. This could discourage the speaker from accepting another invitation to speak at another club for fear of a similar thing happening. These presenters have given their time to plan and practice their programs and it is not fair for them to have to adjust it all at the last minute to allow for a person who wants to talk on another subject.
Most members are on structured schedules which do not allow for the luxury of their remaining later, should the meeting be extended. If extending the meeting occurs frequently, this could result in the loss of members.
The inclusion of “Happy Dollars” is a wonderful practice at Rotary meetings, but Club presidents should discourage lengthy filibustering for $1.00. This is NOT “Fair to all concerned”. It will NOT “build Good Will and Better Friendships” and it will NOT be “Beneficial to all concerned”.
The following is just a few thoughts regarding our giving “Happy Dollars” to share our news, (good or bad) with fellow Rotarians. What a great way to pick up a “couple-a extra bucks” for our club projects and learn about what is happening with others. But how does the 4 Way Test relate to this wonderful vehicle for sharing and fellowship?
“Is it the truth?” Why of course! Admittedly some of us want to make things seem greater or better than they are, but overall, yes.
“Is it fair to all concerned?” We can look at this in several ways. When we relate a story about a friend, or family member, we should ask ourselves, are we sharing too much information? Also, we might ask, are we overstepping the opportunity to share our personal events?
My involvement in Rotary dates back to 1990 and most always “Happy Dollars” has been for sharing very brief news and events. On the other side of the coin (or dollar), some of us take more time than we should and unintentionally may violate questions 2, 3 and 4 of the “4 Way Test”.
Rotary meetings are scheduled to last an hour. Broken down, that allows 30 minutes for fellowship and a meal and 30 minutes for announcements, awards, inductions, business, project discussion, reports and our programs. If a member speaks on a topic that is not part of the clubs regular agenda for more than 30 seconds, it infringes on the time left to accomplish any business at hand. Happy Dollar narratives often exceed 10 to 15 minutes or longer, sometimes it infringes on the program time, thus causing the program chair to feel embarrassed, especially if they have invited a guest speaker to address the club. This could discourage the speaker from accepting another invitation to speak at another club for fear of a similar thing happening. These presenters have given their time to plan and practice their programs and it is not fair for them to have to adjust it all at the last minute to allow for a person who wants to talk on another subject.
Most members are on structured schedules which do not allow for the luxury of their remaining later, should the meeting be extended. If extending the meeting occurs frequently, this could result in the loss of members.
The inclusion of “Happy Dollars” is a wonderful practice at Rotary meetings, but Club presidents should discourage lengthy filibustering for $1.00. This is NOT “Fair to all concerned”. It will NOT “build Good Will and Better Friendships” and it will NOT be “Beneficial to all concerned”.
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