President Elect’s Telegram
Each week I will highlight something about Rotary that all Rotarians should know or be aware of.
THE 4-WAY TEST History Part 2 (hint – see last week’s Pepperbox for Part 1)
I have always wondered how the 4 Way Test came about
First testing it out on himself, he realized that the first question, “Is it the truth?” was barely applied in his business’ day-to-day operations. After 60 days, Herbert J. Taylor decided to share those principles with the four department directors of his company (each had a different religious faith). Those four directors validated his principles, and rolled it out company-wide.
When studying his advertising statements, he realized how very little could be stated as “truth,” so a lot of copywriting adjustments were made to realign the company’s messages with a sense of genuine truth. The aggressiveness towards competition was also scrutinized and eliminated.
In 1932, Taylor’s company was on the edge of bankruptcy. 20 years later, by applying the Four-Way Test, the company repaid its debts, generously paid its shareholders, and had a healthy financial balance.
In the 1940s, when Taylor was an international director of Rotary, he offered the Four Way Test to the organization, and it was adopted by Rotary for its internal and promotional use. Never changed, the twenty four word test remains today a central part of the permanent Rotary structure throughout the world, and is held as the standard by which all behavior should be measured. The test has been promoted around the world and is used in myriad forms to encourage personal and business ethical practices. Taylor gave Rotary International the right to use the test in the 1940s and the copyright in 1954. He retained the rights to use the test for himself, his Club Aluminum Company and the Christian Workers Foundation.
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
He called it “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do
First of all, I hope all the fathers out there had a Happy and Healthy Father’s Day.
Last week we had our first LIVE Rotary meeting in over 3 months as we gathered at the beautiful and historic Missouri Athletic Club on Thursday June 18th. It was well attended both live and via zoom. There were 35 at the live meeting with another 17 via zoom. I am told that a couple Rotary STL alumni, Ed Harris and Marcia Barber, attended the virtual version of the meeting.
Our next meeting will be July 9th with the installation of the new Board. Our planned break is over the July 4th Holiday so week can celebrate our country, the United States of America. Please plan to attend on the 9th so you get an idea of our new leadership group. Hopefully I will see you there live but if not plan to attend via zoom.
Remember to complete the new pre-meeting online registration starting with this meeting that Joan will send out. This pertains to both those attending live and virtually. Although this is not mandatory (yet) please respond to the email to give us a good idea of attendance. It worked very well last week.
Club 11 Rotarian Dale Ruthsatz was the speaker on June 18th, giving us an update on the many developments in the City of St. Louis. Incredible amount of construction and development going on in the City. Most of the construction has continued during the virus situation and those projects that were delayed are starting now. Thanks, Dale, for the update.
Hopefully some of you have attended one or more of the virtual Rotary International Convention. I have watched a couple of the sessions and find them very inspirational. Even if you just have the sound on you will enjoy the spirit of Rotary.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO WORK AT BEING HEALTHY DURING THESE TRYING TIMES
As we are coming to the end of one Rotary year, we are about to start a new year. Mark Daniel Maloney, from Alabama, has served us well. Next year’s International President will be Holger Knaack, a member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, who will serve for the next 12 months.
A quote from outgoing Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney
“Rotary allows us to connect with each other, in deep and meaningful ways, across our differences, it connects us to people we would never otherwise have met, who are more like us than we ever could have known.”
MAKES ME PROUD TO BE A ROTARIAN IN THE ROTARY CLUB OF ST. LOUIS
A quote of inspiration as we celebrate America on the 4th of July
“You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break.”
HARRY S. TRUMAN
“Call a Rotarian” – President Bob kicked off this program on April 7th. Let’s see if we can keep this going in support of Bob. I think this is a good gesture and will help keep us connected. And you will feel good just to make a “personal” connection. I know I have and if you do also, you’ll be amazed at the results.
Finally, if you have
questions, concerns, or ideas regarding Club 11
please let me know
My e-mail is:
Kent1055@att.net
Pepperbox 6-22-2020
President Elect Kent Steinbrueck