The Four-Way Test

Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cities
Morgan Wertz, First Place
Grade 3, Primary Division
Julie Elvin/Sharon Scudder, Harloe

The Rotary 4-Way Test reminds me of the laws I follow in my Girl Scout Brownie Troop, which were written to remind us how we should act as individuals, and how others should be treated. When I first read the Rotary’s 4 principles, they made me think, once again, of how I should act and treat others.
The Rotary 4-Way Test can be used in everything we say and do. Whether my troop is presenting at our multi-cultural event, or selling Girl Scout cookies, we must be TRUTHFUL and honest to everyone. Each time my troop meets, we plan new activities to help others, which is very rewarding. Before Christmas, we walked around neighborhoods, collecting canned food donations for the needy. This activity helped us build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS in our community, and was BENEFICIAL to all concerned.
In my school we have rules, in my community we have laws, and in my country we have regulations. It seems as if rules and laws help guide people in society—and the Rotary’s 4 principles guide us to become better citizens in this society. Without them, the world would be a crazy place! People would NOT be TRUTHFUL, they would NOT be FAIR to all concerned, they would NOT be able to build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, and their actions would NOT be BENEFICIAL to all concerned. I think the Rotary 4-Way Test can be used in our schools, communities, and country.
I often wonder what the world would be like without any wars or hunger. What if there were no drugs or homeless people living on the streets? Then life would be BENEFICIAL to all concerned. If everyone had jobs and were paid for their work, it would be FAIR to all concerned. If there was no hate in this world, we could build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS. I once read a Japanese Proverb that says: “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare”. I think the 4-Way Test could be our ‘vision’ to help our ‘actions’ in making this world a better place.
I can truly see how the Rotary’s 4-Ways can be used in my Brownie Troop, my school, my community, my country, and the world.
As a Girl Scout, I will continue to follow the Girl Scout law, which states:
“I will do my best to be HONEST and FAIR,
FRIENDLY and HELPFUL,
CONSIDERATE and CARING,
COURAGEOUS and STRONG, and
RESPONSIBLE for what I say and do…”
I think the Rotary’s 4 principles are like the Girl Scout Law. As I grow older, I will do my best to be a good citizen. I will remember to practice the Rotary’s 4-Way Test in all I think, say or do:
“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?
I believe the Rotary 4-Way Test can give us all the ‘vision’ we are looking for.