Four Way Test Speech Contest

Posted by Allyn Bulzomi

on Feb 29, 2016

Rotary and the Four-Way Test

From the earliest days of Rotary, Rotarians have been 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 Rotary Four-Way Test, which Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created in 1932 when he took charge of a company facing bankruptcy. This twenty-four-word test for employees to use in making decisions in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with suppliers and customers. The company survived and prospered and its success 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. It asks the following four questions:

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?

Contest Purpose

The purpose of the Four-Way Test Speech Contest is to foster ethics in everyday life, as well as in business. The contest is designed to introduce high school students to the Rotary principles of ethics and service, and to involve local Rotary Clubs with the youth of their communities. It also is aimed at encouraging young people to learn to express themselves well in public. In nearly every profession, the ability to express one’s thoughts and ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively is an important skill.

The specific goals of the contest are as follows:

To acquaint youth with Rotary, and, specifically, the tenets of the Four-Way Test.
To demonstrate and enhance Rotarians’ commitment to youth.
To heighten awareness of Rotary among parents, school officials, and the community.
To recognize, encourage, and reward accomplishment in our youth.
To encourage high school students to develop public speaking skills.

Contest Topic

The topic for the speech contest is “The Impact the Application of the Four-Way Test Had, or Might Have Had, on an Important Historical Event”. The intent is to assess the outcome, or possible alternative outcome, in light of consideration of the specific aspects of the Rotary Four-Way Test. As an example, consideration might be given to an appreciation of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, Lincoln's assassination, the Manhattan Project (the effort to develop the atomic bomb), the Declaration of Independence, or the 19th Amendment - Women's Right to Vote. Participants are free to select a topic of their own choice as long as it deals with a significant historical event to which the tenets of the 4-Way Test are applicable.

Awards

Three finalists have been selected for interested students at Amphi HS. Those three finalists will present their speeches at the March 2^nd club meeting. The students will be judged by club members selected at random. Students are competing for 1^st prize - $250, 2^nd prize - $150, and 3^rd prize - $50. The winning student will compete at the District level for a $1,000 first prize.