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The 4 Way Test is Rotary’s unique approach and process to address conflicts, solve problems, and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes. It has been a go-to for Rotary members when they have found themselves in difficult situations. It is an ethical and effective guide for Rotary members to use for their personal and professional relationships . . . it is all about fellowship, empathy, accountability, and trust.
The 4 Way Test is an adaptive process taking into account everyone’s point-of-view and concerns, as well as their needs and wants. The process is designed to build goodwill and earn trust so a particular end result is mutually beneficial, sustainable and has reasonable outcome. We can apply it collectively as members of a club or individually as a person in all our decision making and we may use it in our advice to a friend . . . however, we should never use it to judge, shame or ridicule others. It was never intended as an excuse to tell others how to lead their lives, and it is certainly not a weapon to force others to conform to our wishes.
The 4 Way Test is a valuable tool for each of us to use in our own lives. We re-wind ourselves each time we repeat it, and we’ve committed to follow it as best we can every day. We humans can we stray from our goals and ideals, so we use it to find our way back. As one of Rotary’s most endearing and enduring treasures, it is simply a guide for each of us to use in leading a life of service, peace, and fellowship.
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