The Object of Rotary

 

           The Object of Rotary can be considered the foundation stone on which the Rotary house is built. This brief statement, 106 words in its current form, is a key element of the Rotary International Constitution. It states the essential purpose of the organization -- "to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise" -- and then lists four areas by which this "ideal of service" can be fostered. They are: through the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; the promotion of high ethical standards in business and professions; through service in one's personal, business and community life; and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace.

        This articulation of Rotary ideals began with the first constitution of 1906 which had three objects: promotion of business interests, promotion of good fellowship and the advancement of the best interests of the community. By 1910 there were five objects in the statement and by 1915, six. The document went through several further revisions until a final revision in 1951 which made it a single "Object" which is manifested in four separate ways. The "ideal of service" is the key phrase, expressing an attitude of being a thoughtful and helpful person in all of one's endeavors.

        The Object 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 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 worl fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

 

The Four Way Test  

1 - Is it the truth?
2 - Is it fair to all concerned?
3 -Will it build good will and better friendships?
4 - Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions 

The Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions was adopted by the Rotary International Council on Legislation in 1989 to provide more specific guidelines for the high ethical standards called for in the Object of Rotary: 

               As a Rotarian engaged in a business or profession, I am expected to: 

· Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve; 

· Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community;

· Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation; 

· Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the  public and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship; 

· Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to society; 

· Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community;

· Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business or profession;

· Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.