In the Pin we Trust
Rotary's
emphasis on vocational service has its roots in the founding of the
organisation in 1905 and the use of the classification principle — the
guideline by which nearly all Rotary membership is determined — assures that
each club has among its’ members a cross-section of a community's business and
professional population.
The second
part of the Object of Rotary calls for
Rotarians to apply high ethical standards in their businesses and professions,
recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations, and to consider their own
occupations as opportunities to serve society.
In 1943,
Rotarians were provided with a tool to help them achieve their vocational
service goals when the RI Board of Directors voted to make The 4-Way Test an official
component of the vocational service ideal. The test gave Rotarians a way to
assess whether their personal and business dealings were being conducted with
truth, fairness, goodwill, and decency.
The three
key principles of vocational service are:
(a) All
occupations are valued
(b) Practising
high ethical standards through the Rotary Four Way Test
(c) Contribute
your vocational talents
Vocational service focuses on:
Ø The
recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just your own or
those that are pursued by fellow Rotarians.
Ø Adherence
to, and promotion of, the highest ethical standards in all occupations,
including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and
the public.
Ø The
values expressed in The 4-Way Test and the Declaration for Rotarians in
Business and Professions, which promote high ethical standards in the
workplace, a central theme of Rotary throughout its history.
Ø The
contribution of your vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.
As business
leaders, Rotarians share their skills and expertise through vocational service
in one of the Four Avenues of Service. One’s vocational service efforts can
play a vital role in improving the quality of life of those hardworking members
of the community who give direction and expertise.
Paul Harris,
our founder, said that of all the one hundred and one ways in which men can
make themselves useful to society, undoubtedly the most available and often the
most effective are within the spheres of their own occupation.
“The
Four Way Test is very much relevant today. Please make clubs realize that mere
essay competitions, plaque distribution in schools is not enough. Nor framing
them and hanging them in work places. The real test will be ‘How much am I able
to apply it to myself?’ PRIP Rajendra Saboo
“In
today’s environment of scandal and exploitation, we as Rotarians must take a
leading role in standing up for our principles. This little pin should stand as
a reminder to each of us of our responsibilities and give others the confidence
to think “You are a Rotarian. I can trust you. Past RI Director Robert A. Stuart, Jr
Rotary’s
electronic systems underwent a major overhaul in recent months and I wish to
draw your attention to the following.
Rotary
International launched it’s new brand strategy last month with the new enhanced
RI logo. It certainly looks fresh and
cleaner and this strategy has been carried forward into the new redesigned Rotary website.
A few days ago I had the privilege of attending a webinar on the new Rotary
website on how to move within the site. The site is essentially split into two.
One is for Rotarians or our members and the other is for the general public.
Rotarians will have varied access to information dependent on their specific
area of responsibility within the club, District or Rotary International.
The
general public would be able to access Rotary’s brand and programmes and the
home page speaks to the greater audience on our image and principles.
Then
there is Rotary showcase, which was
officially launched at the Bangkok Convention in May 2012. It is Rotary’s
newest social medial tool that helps Rotarians share service initiatives with
the Rotary family and the general public. Members are encouraged to add their
Club’s service project activities, exchange ideas with one another and explore
the variety of activities been undertaken by members around the globe. Rotary
showcase allows us to log on our projects, the number of man-hours spent on the
project, the value of goods supplied, etc thereby allowing us to track the
worldwide impact we make for the good of our communities. The application
connects directly with Facebook to broadcast Club accomplishments globally with
a simple click of a button. I want to
encourage Clubs to take action by adding your service activities on Rotary
Showcase by sharing this information and visit www.rotary.org/showcase. I trust that
you would enjoy this new and exciting way to promote your projects and learning
about the wonderful work of our organisation on a global perspective.
Finally
we have Rotary Club Central which is an
administrative tool that updates club and club officer information.
Rotary
provides each one of us with an opportunity to showcase our vocation through
our volunteerism. Wear that pin with pride because it is in that pin that
people with whom we interact know that we will deliver. Perhaps PRIP Robert
Bath put it best when he said:
I wear this Rotary pin because
You can
rely on me
I am
dependable
I am
reliable
I give
more than I take
I add
value
Are
you proud of your Rotary pin?
Natty Moodley
October 2013
