Membership Principles
Rotary’s Guiding Principles
Rotary’s guiding principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians worldwide with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.
Objective of Rotary
The Objective 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. 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?
Avenues of Club Service
We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity.
- Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society. Our club recognizes public school service through Outstanding Educator Awards annually.
- 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. Our club sponsors a variety of community service activities aimed at providing community building and community safety net support.
- 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 Rotary Scholarships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Rotary Youth Exchange, Interact and Rotaract.
- Club Service promotes the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service. It involves the activities necessary to make the Club function successfully and achieve its goals. Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
Source: Rotary Club of Waikiki