"Although Rotary is continuously evolving it remains true to its core values" was the message delivered by Past District Governor Philip Clancy when he addressed our club last Tuesday. Philip outlined the many changes he had witnessed during his time as a Rotarian spanning the years since the nineteen seventies. Notable advances include opening membership to women, introducing more flexible attendance requirements and focusing Rotary's attention to specific areas of world and local community service.
Philip reminded us that the "Object of Rotary" and "The Four Way Test" remain at the core of Rotary and guide us in all we do as Rotarians
and he went on to outline Rotary's avenues of service.
Object 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 a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do
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?
Avenues of Service
We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity.
· Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
· Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
· Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.
· International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more.
. Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact,Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Rotary Youth Exchange.