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 4-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 4-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:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
District Competition
**Four Way Test Speech Contest Deadlines Club Entry and Registration Fee **
Must Submit to District 5300 by November 30, 2026
Club Level Contests – Start January 1- must be completed by January 31, 2027
Area/Group Level Contests – Start February 1 -must complete by February 28, 2027
Regional Level Contests – Start March 1 - must be completed by March 19, 2027
District Finals- Friday April 2, 2027, at the District 5300 Youth Showcase: An Evening of Talent, Ideas & Achievement – University of La Verne, La Verne, CA.
Regional Competitions
CA West Regional Contest
Time & Place TBD