October is Vocational Service Month

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATES OCTOBER AS
VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH - October 8, 2007

The second of the four Avenues of Service, Vocational Service, fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service in pursuit of all vocations. Inherent in the Vocational Service Ideal are :

1. Adherence to, and promotion of, the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including loyalty to employers, employees, and associates, and fair treatment of those with whom one has business or professional relations;

2. The recognition of the worthiness to society of all useful occupations; and

3. The contribution of one's vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.

Vocational Service is the responsibility of both a Rotary club and its members. The role of the club is to develop projects that help members contribute their vocational talents. The role of members is to conduct their professional lives in accordance with Rotary principles and to share in projects which the club has developed.

Vocational Service evolved from the classifications principle - a feature originally unique to Rotary that limited active membership to one representative from each business or profession. This classification system remains the basis for each Rotarian's personal obligation in Vocational Service - to serve as a representative of that classification within the club. This knowledge and experience gives each club the resources to complete projects that address all aspects of the second Avenue of Vocational Service.


THE FOUR-WAY TEST

Rotarians are concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. They embrace the philosophy of "The Four-Way Test," written in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor after he took over a company that faced bankruptcy.

It asks the following four questions:

"Of the things we think, say or do:

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?"

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.