Get involved in hands on ethics, conduct a Four Way Test Program in your local school.
 The Four Way Test Ethics Project is modeled on a program developed by the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado. The Rotary Club of Fort Collins has given District 5030 permission to re-post the following information. You can contact the Rotary Club of Fort Collins for brochures, video instruction materials, and Four Way Test Medallions. You can see the full program description that they have developed by clicking here. You can also download the program brochure here (PDF).
The Rotary 4-Way Test
 One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the world is the Rotary 4-Way Test. It was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of the Chicago based Club Aluminum Company, which was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a way to save the struggling company mired in depression-caused financial difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives. The 4-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company was credited to this simple philosophy.
Herb Taylor became president of Rotary International during 1954-55. The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated into more than 100 languages and published in thousands of ways. The message should be known and followed by all Rotarians.
What has happened to our values?
A Club 4-Way Test Program
Most Rotary clubs showcase the 4-Way Test passively. Luncheon place mats, speaker gift coins are common. An annual program featuring a 4-Way Test can be done with great enthusiasm and results.
Procedure
Announce that you are going to have a program on the 4-Way Test about 3 weeks ahead of time. Place sheets of paper on the tables and ask Rotarians to think of an ethical dilemma they have encounter recently. Provide an example on the sheet. The situation should be only several sentences and should conclude with "What would you do?"
Gather them up. Pick about 8-10 situations that would be interesting and target a wide spectrum of vocations. Remove anything that might suggest a certain individual did something inappropriate. Edit for clarity as necessary. Put each on strips of paper. Make enough copies for your Club. If you have 15 table make 15 copies of each situation. Put the 4-Way Test on each table for all to see.
Here's an example:
You carry considerable insurance on your ‘97 BMW. A month ago, you damaged the tail light haven't had time to get it fixed. Just last week your were rear-ended by a teenager causing about $4,000 in damage. The teenager's Dad is furious that his insurance must pay, but is glad no one was hurt. You make it clear to the body shop that you damaged the light, but he offers to add $158 to the insurance bill. He says, it’ll save you your deductible." What do you do?
Table Instructions
At your Rotary program, put an envelope on each table with 8 to 10 situations. Provide some instructions like:
- This is a discussion-centered exercise with ethical situations you have developed.
- In the center of the table is an envelope. Each Rotarian around the table is to act as the facilitator for one question. When I say so, open the envelope and the first Rotarian reads the first scenario out loud.
- Discuss the situation for 3-7 minutes each, try to come to a consensus on what you would do-no fence sitting. Pass the envelope to the person on the left for the next Rotarian to read. Throughout the discussion, use the 4-Way Test as a "thinking guide."
- After about 23 minutes, ask each table (or as many as possible) to select a spokesperson to stand and give their most challenging situation.
A School-Based 4-Way Test Program - Community & Vocational Service
A tremendous opportunity for service lies with the junior and senior high schools. Teachers and administrators are hungry for community and parental involvement and have lauded the 4-Way Test as a positive program that promotes strong values. Rotary, with our emphasis on vocations, is particularly welcome. Testing the waters at the district and principal level is extremely effective to get started - but what really counts is to get a teacher interested who has a heart for where young people are going today. Speech and Civics classes at the 9th grade level are especially appropriate because the ideas of community responsibility and group communication skills fit into all school district standards.
9th Grade Speech Class Format
 We have found that the "In-School Field Trip" format works extremely well. The teacher organizes all her speech (for example) periods for a special 4-Way Test Discussion Exercise in a continuous, two- or three-period event. School libraries or cafeterias work best putting 5-6 students with one Rotarian around a table. 60 students and 12 Rotarians is a good number. (We once did 120 students at a time and it was noisy and a little difficult to control.) Doing one in the morning and another in the afternoon may catch every 9th grader in school!
Relevancy is extremely important and so the students should write their own situations. Furthermore, the exercise must belong to the teacher in terms of organization, format, and preparation. We recommend the teachers have the students each prepare and hand in one question several weeks ahead of time. The best ones end in, "What would you do?" That will give the teacher enough time to select the best ones and prevent duplication. Instruction on the group process, how to lead a discussion, and cooperation is part of the speech curriculum and should be done prior to the event.
EXAMPLE 1: You are in the 9th grade You and your girlfriend have been going together two years. Your families know each other well. Both Dad and Mom are respected. Your girlfriend is pregnant by you. What would you do?
EXAMPLE 2: Mo is one of the best athletes in school — star running back and over 950 yards this year. Your school has just won district and will be going to state next week (first time in 8 years). Mo has a borderline D-F in Civics and his class notebook is due in 3 days. The school already has given him his last chance. If he does not pass, he can’t play. Your classmates know you have one of the best notebooks and ask if you will loan it to Mo to copy. What would you do?
Discussion is Cooperative
A good discussion member:
1. Contributes information and is an asset to the group.
2. Listens carefully.
3. Maintains eye contact with the others.
4. Shows courtesy and respect to other group members.
5. Does not interrupt or monopolize the conversation.
6. Asks questions and is aware of involving everyone in the group.
7. Shows a positive, cooperative, open attitude.
Directions & Time Schedule for Discussion Groups
Arrival
Rotarians arrive 15 minutes before the event and receive orientation from teacher and 4-Way Test Chair. Name tags for Rotarians. Last minute instructions. Teacher provides a form to the Rotarian to take notes on and a student evaluation sheet to grade them as a leader and a participant.
Introduction to Entire Group
- 8 minutes
Teacher opening. Brief "What is Rotary" and intro of 4-Way Test by a Rotarian. Each Rotarian stands and introduces him/herself and describes his/her profession or business (20 seconds each).
Introduction Ice Breaker at Individual Tables
- 6 minutes
One person begins by telling his/her name, where born, occupation they would like someday, and favorite TV or movie character. The person to their immediate right repeats the first person's intro and introduces him/herself. The third person repeats both the 1st and 2nd person's intro, then introduces him/herself. Go all the way around. Person #1 gets to see if they can remember all the group.
Main Exercise
- 20 seconds
One student reads "Discussion is Cooperative"
- 1 minute
Rotarian reads the 4-Way Test and may make a comment
- 4-8 minutes per question
The student to the left of the Rotarian begins as leader by drawing one of the discussion questions from the cup in the middle of the table and reads it to everyone. It is that person's responsibility to take on the leadership role for that discussion question. Each student makes a comment, the leader comments, then random comments are shared. The leader stays in control throughout the discussion, then brings the discussion to closure with a summary. Participants do not need to speak in seating order. The next student draws a question and leads the next discussion. This process continues so that every person is the leader. The Rotarian at each table acts as a guide, but does not dominate the discussion, and provides appropriate experiences that may best utilize the 4 Way Test. If the entire session is only two periods long, one 5minute break can be planned. A three-period event can have two 5-minute breaks.
- 3 minutes
Each table will elect a spokesperson and choose a situation that was the most interesting or had the most heated discussion. The group helps the spokesperson develop several points.
- 10 minutes
All spokespersons come to the front of the room and present a 30-second summary on their chosen situation.
Evaluation for Accountability
Students complete an evaluation form. Place their name tags on the bottom of the form. Each student writes a thank you note to the Rotarian from their table.
Following the students' departure, each Rotarian fills out the grade sheet.
The Following Items are Necessary for the Process Discussion is Cooperative
- Suggested Directions and Time Schedule
- Rotary 4-Way Test
- Adult Evaluation Sheet
- Adult Observation Sheet (for notes)
- Student Self-evaluation
- Thank You Note for students to give Rotarians (4x6, not included)
Adult Evaluation Sheet
Thank you for being a part of the discussion group! Students must pass a performance standard for group process to graduate from High School. This activity is the culmination of our unit on group process. Please evaluate each student in your group on a scale of 1 to 5:
- 5=Excellent
- 4=Good
- 3=Average
- 2=Poor
- 1=Very Poor
Adult Observer Note Sheet
To help with the evaluation, you may wish to keep track of participation using the squares below. You might make a "tick" mark each time a student participates or jot notes regarding eye contact or enthusiasm.
Areas to Key On
- Summarizes or builds on others' ideas
- Eye contact
- Verifies accuracy of information
- Seeks or gives information or opinion
- Explores new possibilities and pushes the limit
- Recognizes and encourages others
- Mediates within the group
- Maintains standards and procedures
- Keeps the group moving towards goals
- Interrupts or attacks others
- Demands attention from others
- Insists on being in control
- Criticizes others' contributions
Developed by the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, Club #416
P O Box 1206, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, Ph 970-482-3883
BROCHURE DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY COLOUR & DESIGN, PH 970-482-1254
Copyright for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
by Landis L. Boyd, January 18, 2002
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