The simple, exciting and driving motto of Rotary is Service Above Self.
In the 1940s Rotary adopted the FOUR WAY TEST developed by a member for his business during the Great Depression.
Each Rotarian is charged to ask these four questions to help guide their personal and professional life.
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build good will and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
And the OBJECT OF ROTARY is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and 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 dignity of each Rotarian’s occupation; as an opportunity to serve;
Third. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life;
Fourth. The advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons in the ideal of service.The flags of many nations fly outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York, plus the flag of Rotary. Nearly 50 Rotarians were on the committees the set up the United Nations. Dr Salk, after he discovered the oral vaccine to cure polio, gave it free of charge to Rotary to assist in its endeavours to eradicate polio. Service above self!
Every year the new President of Rotary International develops a new theme. The 2020-2021 theme is Rotary Opens Opportunities