Fort William Rotary - 4-Way Test Essay Contest

Are you a high school student in your final two years? Do you enjoy expressing yourself through writing? If the answer to these questions is "yes" you may be interested in the Rotary 4-Way Test Essay contest.

The essay contest is intended to allow you to develop your skills of self-expression and as a sincere interest in your ideals. Your essay can deal with any topic of your choosing but it must apply the principles of the Rotary 4-Way Test:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The Rotary 4-Way test was first conceived in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, by a Chicago businessman faced with the challenge of saving a major company from bankruptcy. Looking to save the company, he sought a short "yardstick" of ethics that could be used to address the issues related to this challenge. Company personnel were asked to learn the test and observe it as a guide in every aspect of business. As a result, a climate of trust and goodwill gradually developed among dealers, customers and employees. The 4-way Test was credited with returning the company to a thriving status.

The universal nature of the 4-way Test has resulted in it being adopted for programs as wide ranging as safe driving to crime and drug-use reduction programs.

The 500-1000 word essay must be submitted as typed hardcopy and the local deadline is February 28, 2009.

Click here to download the Student Guidelines and a poster.

Prizes:

The contest is sponsored by our Rotary District (5580), which covers a large geographic area, including northern Minnesota, North Dakota and clubs in the Thunder Bay region.

The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Fort William) is offering a C$100 prize for the best local essay meeting the specified criteria and will forward the winning essay for judging at the Regional level. There are additional US $200 prizes for winners from each of the six regions within the district. The overall District winner will receive an additional US$1800, which, when added to the Regional prize, totals US$2,000.

For further information, please contact David Knutson 625-6721 (work hours) or at 627-7382 (cell).