The
Four Way Test Ethics Project is modeled on a program developed by the
Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado. The Rotary Club of Fort Collins
has given District 5030 permission to re-post the following
information. You can contact the Rotary Club of Fort Collins for
brochures, video instruction materials, and Four Way Test Medallions.
You can see the full program description that they have developed by clicking here. You can also download the program brochure here (PDF).
The Rotary 4-Way Test
One
of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in
the world is the Rotary 4-Way Test. It was created by Rotarian Herbert
J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of the Chicago based
Club Aluminum Company, which was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a
way to save the struggling company mired in depression-caused financial
difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to
follow in their business and professional lives. The 4-Way Test became
the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with
dealers and customers, and the survival of the company was credited to
this simple philosophy.
Herb Taylor became president of Rotary International during 1954-55.
The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated
into more than 100 languages and published in thousands of ways. The
message should be known and followed by all Rotarians.
What has happened to our values?
A Club 4-Way Test Program Most Rotary clubs showcase the 4-Way Test passively. Luncheon place
mats, speaker gift coins are common. An annual program featuring a
4-Way Test can be done with great enthusiasm and results.
Procedure
Announce that you are going to have a program on the 4-Way Test about 3
weeks ahead of time. Place sheets of paper on the tables and ask
Rotarians to think of an ethical dilemma they have encounter recently.
Provide an example on the sheet. The situation should be only several
sentences and should conclude with "What would you do?"
Gather them up. Pick about 8-10 situations that would be interesting
and target a wide spectrum of vocations. Remove anything that might
suggest a certain individual did something inappropriate. Edit for
clarity as necessary. Put each on strips of paper. Make enough copies
for your Club. If you have 15 table make 15 copies of each situation.
Put the 4-Way Test on each table for all to see.
Here's an example:
You carry considerable insurance on your ‘97 BMW. A month ago, you
damaged the tail light haven't had time to get it fixed. Just last week
your were rear-ended by a teenager causing about $4,000 in damage. The
teenager's Dad is furious that his insurance must pay, but is glad no
one was hurt. You make it clear to the body shop that you damaged the
light, but he offers to add $158 to the insurance bill. He says, it’ll
save you your deductible." What do you do?
Table Instructions
At your Rotary program, put an envelope on each table with 8 to 10 situations. Provide some instructions like:
This is a discussion-centered exercise with ethical situations you have developed.
In
the center of the table is an envelope. Each Rotarian around the table
is to act as the facilitator for one question. When I say so, open the
envelope and the first Rotarian reads the first scenario out loud.
Discuss
the situation for 3-7 minutes each, try to come to a consensus on what
you would do-no fence sitting. Pass the envelope to the person on the
left for the next Rotarian to read. Throughout the discussion, use the
4-Way Test as a "thinking guide."
After about 23 minutes,
ask each table (or as many as possible) to select a spokesperson to
stand and give their most challenging situation.
A School-Based 4-Way Test Program - Community & Vocational Service
A
tremendous opportunity for service lies with the junior and senior high
schools. Teachers and administrators are hungry for community and
parental involvement and have lauded the 4-Way Test as a positive
program that promotes strong values. Rotary, with our emphasis on
vocations, is particularly welcome. Testing the waters at the district
and principal level is extremely effective to get started - but what
really counts is to get a teacher interested who has a heart for where
young people are going today. Speech and Civics classes at the 9th
grade level are especially appropriate because the ideas of community
responsibility and group communication skills fit into all school
district standards.
9th Grade Speech Class Format
We
have found that the "In-School Field Trip" format works extremely well.
The teacher organizes all her speech (for example) periods for a
special 4-Way Test Discussion Exercise in a continuous, two- or
three-period event. School libraries or cafeterias work best putting
5-6 students with one Rotarian around a table. 60 students and 12
Rotarians is a good number. (We once did 120 students at a time and it
was noisy and a little difficult to control.) Doing one in the morning
and another in the afternoon may catch every 9th grader in school!
Relevancy is extremely important and so the students should write their
own situations. Furthermore, the exercise must belong to the teacher in
terms of organization, format, and preparation. We recommend the
teachers have the students each prepare and hand in one question
several weeks ahead of time. The best ones end in, "What would you do?"
That will give the teacher enough time to select the best ones and
prevent duplication. Instruction on the group process, how to lead a
discussion, and cooperation is part of the speech curriculum and should
be done prior to the event.
EXAMPLE 1: You are in the 9th grade You and your girlfriend have
been going together two years. Your families know each other well. Both
Dad and Mom are respected. Your girlfriend is pregnant by you. What
would you do?
EXAMPLE 2: Mo is one of the best athletes in school — star
running back and over 950 yards this year. Your school has just won
district and will be going to state next week (first time in 8 years).
Mo has a borderline D-F in Civics and his class notebook is due in 3
days. The school already has given him his last chance. If he does not
pass, he can’t play. Your classmates know you have one of the best
notebooks and ask if you will loan it to Mo to copy. What would you do?
Discussion is Cooperative
A good discussion member:
1. Contributes information and is an asset to the group.
2. Listens carefully.
3. Maintains eye contact with the others.
4. Shows courtesy and respect to other group members.
5. Does not interrupt or monopolize the conversation.
6. Asks questions and is aware of involving everyone in the group.
7. Shows a positive, cooperative, open attitude.
Directions & Time Schedule for Discussion Groups
Arrival
Rotarians arrive 15 minutes before the event and receive orientation
from teacher and 4-Way Test Chair. Name tags for Rotarians. Last minute
instructions. Teacher provides a form to the Rotarian to take notes on
and a student evaluation sheet to grade them as a leader and a
participant.
Introduction to Entire Group
8 minutes
Teacher opening. Brief "What is Rotary" and intro of 4-Way Test by
a Rotarian. Each Rotarian stands and introduces him/herself and
describes his/her profession or business (20 seconds each).
Introduction Ice Breaker at Individual Tables
6 minutes
One person begins by telling his/her name, where born, occupation
they would like someday, and favorite TV or movie character. The person
to their immediate right repeats the first person's intro and
introduces him/herself. The third person repeats both the 1st and 2nd
person's intro, then introduces him/herself. Go all the way around.
Person #1 gets to see if they can remember all the group.
Main Exercise
20 seconds
One student reads "Discussion is Cooperative"
1 minute
Rotarian reads the 4-Way Test and may make a comment
4-8 minutes per question
The student to the left of the Rotarian begins as leader by
drawing one of the discussion questions from the cup in the middle of
the table and reads it to everyone. It is that person's responsibility
to take on the leadership role for that discussion question. Each
student makes a comment, the leader comments, then random comments are
shared. The leader stays in control throughout the discussion, then
brings the discussion to closure with a summary. Participants do not
need to speak in seating order. The next student draws a question and
leads the next discussion. This process continues so that every person
is the leader. The Rotarian at each table acts as a guide, but
does not dominate the discussion, and provides appropriate experiences
that may best utilize the 4 Way Test. If the entire session is
only two periods long, one 5minute break can be planned. A three-period
event can have two 5-minute breaks.
3 minutes
Each table will elect a spokesperson and choose a situation that
was the most interesting or had the most heated discussion. The group
helps the spokesperson develop several points.
10 minutes
All spokespersons come to the front of the room and present a 30-second summary on their chosen situation.
Evaluation for Accountability
Students complete an evaluation form. Place their name tags on the
bottom of the form. Each student writes a thank you note to the
Rotarian from their table.
Following the students' departure, each Rotarian fills out the grade sheet.
The Following Items are Necessary for the Process Discussion is Cooperative
Suggested Directions and Time Schedule
Rotary 4-Way Test
Adult Evaluation Sheet
Adult Observation Sheet (for notes)
Student Self-evaluation
Thank You Note for students to give Rotarians (4x6, not included)
Adult Evaluation Sheet
Thank you for being a part of the discussion group! Students must pass
a performance standard for group process to graduate from High School.
This activity is the culmination of our unit on group process. Please
evaluate each student in your group on a scale of 1 to 5:
5=Excellent
4=Good
3=Average
2=Poor
1=Very Poor
Adult Observer Note Sheet
To help with the evaluation, you may wish to keep track of
participation using the squares below. You might make a "tick" mark
each time a student participates or jot notes regarding eye contact or
enthusiasm.
Areas to Key On
Summarizes or builds on others' ideas
Eye contact
Verifies accuracy of information
Seeks or gives information or opinion
Explores new possibilities and pushes the limit
Recognizes and encourages others
Mediates within the group
Maintains standards and procedures
Keeps the group moving towards goals
Interrupts or attacks others
Demands attention from others
Insists on being in control
Criticizes others' contributions
Developed by the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, Club #416 P O Box 1206, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, Ph 970-482-3883 BROCHURE DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY COLOUR & DESIGN, PH 970-482-1254
Copyright for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, USA by Landis L. Boyd, January 18, 2002
• I really appreciated my Rotarian. She was nice. • It was fun!!! (X 6) • It was VERY fun. • We all did good. • I personally enjoyed this and I’m glad I took part. Our leader was Sean and he did very well. • I really felt that it was an extremely positive 3 hours and it was fun and meaningful.
• It was fun. I’ve learned lots of things from the Rotarian Dan and from my other friends. I really enjoyed the discussion.
• The discussion was fun and in order. It was very well organized and everyone got to share and talk. We were a Great group.
• It was really fun and I liked it. Josh was very cool and he helped in the conversation.
• Mr. Josh Gerstman was SOOOOO cool.
• It was a really interesting experience. We all had a great time and felt comfortable. Josh was a great leader.
• I loved it. We all bonded. We were comfortable and truthful.
• It was interesting. This was a fun event.
• It was actually very fun and the group was very active.
• I think we had a really good discussion and everyone participated and it was really interesting and fun.
• We were all very active in the conversation. We talked about all of the scenarios in detail.
• Everyone was open and nice to talk to.
• A good, long, wide open conversation. • Good discussion. A fun group to be in.
• We had a lot of detailed questions and I contributed to all the questions. • I really liked the discussions we had. I felt like all of the topics
were related to us and it made me know that I Should tell the truth. • I felt that I contributed all I could and told the truth of how I
feel to answer the questions. I tried to put myself In the situation
and tried to come out with the best decision for the situation. • It was easy to open up and talk about our point of view. • I thought that this was a very fun productive discussion. We had a great Rotarian and a great group to be with. • It was interesting to hear what other people’s choices would be. • I really enjoyed talking about the different scenarios. It made me
think more into depth about responses and Acting for different
situations. Mr. Williams was a great Rotary leader for our group. • I enjoyed this activity. It was a good chance for us to discuss scenarios with people we don’t normally talk to. • We had great discussions. I learned that though things may be the
truth, it’s not always for Goodwill or to make Better friendships. • I had a great time. • The discussion was a very good experience. It was fun. • I LOVED IT (X 4) • This whole experience was good. Hopefully we’ll have this next year. I loved it. It was fun. • Ms. Price was a great model for us. She was great. • Lisa was very nice and this was a great use of my time. • I enjoyed talking about the different decisions at our table. We all
had many different thoughts on each Scenario and explained thoroughly
on each one. • We all participated and took turns. Sometimes we didn’t always agree,
but still respected one another. Mr. Stewart was cool and let us speak
our minds. It didn’t take long to warm up to him and he cared about
What we had to say. • It went by way too fast. It was a lot more fun and interesting than I thought it would be. • I learned about new ways to look at situations. • It was great. I really want to do it again. I’m going to keep the coin forever. • I thought it was really interesting how others think about some
situations. I think this is a really good idea to do. It gives us A
chance to talk to future bosses and helps us learn how to make better
decisions. • I’m a junior and I didn’t get to do this when I was a sophomore. I’m
glad I got to have this experience this year. Having my mom as my
Rotarian was also beneficial.
SITUATIONS Developed by 9th Graders
Special thanks to 9th grade speech teachers Carol Ballain and Tyann Kuehnast
Following are examples only. Important for the participants to develop their own situations.
• You are 15 and pregnant. If your family finds out, they'll kick you
out of the house. Do you take the risk of abortion or tell your family?
• Your friend tells the police that she is abused. You know she is lying. What do you do?
• Someone throws a grenade into a crowd. Do you jump away from it and
save your life or do you jump on it and save everyone else?
• You are watching your best friend's house while they were on a
camping trip. The house gets robbed because you forget to lock the
door. What do you do?
• Your best friend is on the football team and they're doing steroids to be the buffest team. What do you do?
• You have just recently been getting to be friends with a very popular
person at school. He asks you for answers to a geometry quiz. What do
you do?
• Your best friend is being beaten at home. She tells you not to let
anyone know or she will never be your friend again. One day, she
suspiciously doesn't show up for school. What do you do?
• Your close friend's boy/girlfriend starts to come on to you. He/she is sooooo fine. Do you accept his/her offer?
• You are at a party and a drunk girl starts making advances toward
you. You know she's drunk and not making all the right decisions, but
she's really good looking. She wants you to go somewhere with her where
it's quiet and private. What do you do?
• Your parents are good parents, but they want you to have friends and
date within your race, but you are dating someone outside your race.
What should you do?
Samamish-Uganda
Janet Graeber is returning to Uganda for the sixth consecutive trip in
June. It appears as if she will be sending over about another 100
computers. The intent is to continue the upkeep and replacement as
needed in the existing labs.
Bellevue Breakfast-Turkey
John Martinka has started to get this project underway. Approximately
100 computers will be taken to Turkey in a trip this Spring.
Bellevue Breakfast-Slovakia
John Martinka is looking at sending upgraded equipment to support one of the existing labs.
Areas are in need of our support:
Emerald City Rotary Club is providing C4W with $2500, to be headed to the Dominican Republic.
C4W is looking for a Rotary club to partner with for a project in Afghanistan (part of a water project).
Edmond and Lynnwood C4W will send a about six computers with Bill and Joann Morton when they travel to Peru.
Ballard-Guatemala - looking into previous projects
C4W has inquiries to visit Fiji, Ethiopia and Uruguay
BRIDGING THE LITERACY GAP THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Computers
for the World (also known as C4W) was started in 1998 by Emerald City
Rotary Club (Seattle), Garfield High School Interact Students,
Rotarians, and technology teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle.
Student participants are Rotaract and Interact members with technical,
linguistic or leadership skills, and the determination to help those in
need. Last year our program became a Rotary District 5030 Project. Just
recently we have expanded the program to Ballard High School in
Seattle, and are in the process of putting together a definitive
arrangement for our program and its educational activities with Seattle
Public School District. We have worked with many organizations to
expand our programs. Organizations such as Group Health Cooperative,
Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Boeing, United
Airlines, Rotary Seattle Public Schools and many others have
contributed to our program.
C4W creates a platform for exchange among people by supplying
information technology to the international Community. With this
platform, we provide for better learning, communication, and sharing of
information and ideas that help people participate in the global
community, while simultaneously letting students gain real world
experiences in leadership, organization and international relations.
Computers for the World is a multi-location project that:
Takes donated used technology,
(computers and peripherals) and reconditions, upgrades and networks by
c4w volunteers (mainly Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors).
Delivers and installs those computers in areas-in-need, primarily in the International Community.
Simultaneously provides an international multi-cultural experience to the volunteer participants.
In addition too educational enrichment in technology, project management, project leadership and many interdisciplinary areas.
For more information on Computers for the World, contact Co-Presidents Andy McDonald and Janet Graeber at .
The District 5030 Third Grade Dictionary Project is a literacy project
aiming to provide dictionaries to all third grade students living
within the area of our 55 clubs — from Tukwila to Seattle, Bellevue to
Kent, Kirkland to Federal Way, Lynnwood to Rainier.
In third grade, students are beginning to learn word and dictionary
skills. By giving each student a dictionary to own and take home, these
children will have the resource in their home to develop the very
important word skills required of all students in the State of
Washington. Dictionaries are very useful to all students and more
specifically to English Language Learners and students living below the
poverty level. In addition, having dictionaries on-hand mean that
parents and guardians will be in a better position to assist with their
child's homework. In doing so, they will also become more competent
learners and teachers of their child.
For more information on the
project, or to get your club involved, please contact Cothron L.
McMillian, email: ; phone: (206) 396-5668.
10,100 DICTIONARIES ORDERED By 40 Rotary Clubs and/or individual Rotarians!
May 30, 2008 UPDATE:
CONGRATULATIONS, we have now ordered and will have delivered 10,000
dictionaries since August 2007, once we complete the Kennewick project.
What this means is that we have reached our 2007-2008 Rotary Year GOAL.
Clubs and individuals have donated in excess of $ 75,000.00
toward this project. We therefore, have a great deal to celebrate AND
be proud of. We have given all of these students the gift of knowledge.
Ballard Bellevue Breakfast Bellevue Noon Bellevue Overlake Covington, Kent Sunrise & Kent Des Moines Emerald City Federal Way & Federal Way Sunrise Lynnwood Magnolia New Castle North Seattle Northshore Queen Anne Rainier & Mercer Island Renton Sea-Tac Seattle International Seattle NE Shoreline SODO Southcenter Tukwila University District Woodinville
Financial donations were made at the 2007 District Conference in Kennewick by the Rotary Clubs of: Auburn, Bellevue, Bellevue Sunrise, Burien White Center, Covington, Des Moines, Duvall, Edmonds Noon, Emerald City, Federal Way Noon, Federal Way Sunrise, Issaquah, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Magnolia, Maple Valley, Newcastle, North Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Renton Capers, SeaTac, Seattle International, Seattle Northeast, Shoreline, Snoqualmie Valley, SODO, Tukwila, University, Vashon Island, West Seattle
OTHER DONATIONS
Additional donations were made by: Anonymous Donor, Bill and Sandy Taylor, Gene Tonnamaker, Lisa Hawkins, RC of Queen Anne, RCs of Rotary District 5030, Rotary District 5030.
Rotary
Music4Life is a collaboration among Seattle Public Schools, the
Northwest Youth Music Association, and Seattle Rotary District 5030,
partnering to expand music education for all children in Seattle Public
Schools.
The creative concept for Rotary Music4Life™ was born in the fall of
2007 and is an ongoing program. The immediate goal is clear: put
musical instruments in good playing condition into the hands of
children and youth wishing to use them now. Procure the instruction,
supplies and support (like instrument maintenance) to strengthen the
elementary instrumental music program and ensure strong music programs
throughout Seattle Public Schools.
The Music For Life organization is acquiring musical instruments,
supplies and other resources from Rotary clubs in Seattle and
surrounding areas, and also from other citizens who understand the
value of music in a child’s life. They work with instrument
manufacturers, rental agencies, wholesalers, retailers, and others
around the world who have access to serviceable musical instruments.
Anyone who loves music and believes in music education for all children
can join the effort!
Seattle Public Schools is a diverse family of 97 schools, serving
45,800 students in a dynamic, standards-based learning community. The
Seattle school district is the largest public school system in
Washington, and the 44th largest in the United States. Rotary
Music4Life™ will begin by serving schools with immediate needs and high
numbers of students on “Free and Reduced Lunch” (FRL)*, and then expand
to serving schools district-wide. Most schools with high FRL rates are
in southeast and southwest Seattle.
Music Education in Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Goal: To build a
comprehensive and equitable arts education program that fosters every
child’s creative capacities, and that is:
Available to all students at all schools, regardless of income
Aligned between grades, so that students follow a clear progression as they master skills
Consistent with Washington State’s Arts standards
Supported by parents, teachers, and community
Sustainable, with public and private funding
Learn more - click here for the Seattle Public Schools Music Plan
(PDF format - file size 44 KB)
*Students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches based on
family income criteria established by the Federal government. The
specific income requirements depend upon the size of the family and are
adjusted every year.
CONTACT MUSIC FOR LIFE
For periodic updates about Rotary Music4Life™, join the mailing list.
For more information about Rotary Music4Life™, contact:
, Director
Office of School Partnerships
Seattle Public Schools
PO Box 34165
Seattle, WA 98124-1165
Tel (206) 252-0476
QUESTIONS? Contact:
Jon Hankins
District Project Chair
Cell (206)349-5297
• • •
The PFW Kickoff Showcase Event
on Saturday, April 12th, was a major success as over 30 Rotarians and
10 job candidates with developmental disabilities embraced "The Dignity
of Work" through employer & employee testimonials, as well as a
"hands-on" live resume review session. This event moved people from
educational awareness on what people with developmental disabilities
"can do" to action, as a request to have all the job candidates resumes
posted on the Rotary District 5030 website was made!
If you are interested in learning more about these talented job
candidates representing Rotary communities from Edmonds to Auburn,
please visit the links below to access their resumes.
Click on the links below for printer friendly versions of these resumes:
Mercer Island Rotarian and Costco Senior Vice President of Human Resources/Risk Management John Matthews delivers the keynote speech on Costco's success stories and best practices in hiring job candidates from the community.
• • •
Interested in developing PFW within your Rotary Club?
Following are steps to follow to create Partners for Work in Your Rotary Club:
• Talk to other members about it to see if there is some interest.
• Share the idea with your Club President, President-Elect and Vocational Chair.
• Make a presentation to your Board.
• Work with your Club President to plan how it is presented to the club.
• Partner with a Community Supported Employment Provider.
• Have regular meetings to educate the club about how members can help to create opportunities.
• Create a steering committee of a few members who meet regularly to develop club-level activities.
Have regular activities at your club meetings using suggestions from the Sample Club Activities sheet.
• • •
Not sure what your Rotary club can do to actively participate in PFW?
Here are several time-limited, minimal cost activities clubs can do:
Employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
Partners for Work (PFW) is a Rotary District 5030 project that creates
employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities by
utilizing Rotarian business leadership as a vital link between job
candidates and paid work. PFW, developed by the Auburn Rotary Club in
2003, has expanded throughout Western Washington as a viable program
that assists employers in gaining access to this talented, untapped
workforce. The target population, people who are over 18 years of age,
have developmental disabilities, and want to work. These individuals
have learned valuable skills to offer the workplace, yet their
unemployment rate (70%) is very high and many cannot meet the
established job requirements set by human resource departments within
businesses. Rotarians are often the top people in their companies and
play a key networking and leadership role in helping open the door
towards paid work for these individuals.
This project focuses on creating new opportunities for people who have
traditionally been left out of the job market by having Rotarians
become more aware of individual skills and abilities that exist within
their own communities. This can be done simply through a series of
club-level activities that don’t require fundraising or considerable
amounts of volunteer service time by club membership.
Contact PFW district project chair Jon Hankins for further
information and to receive a PFW toolkit to assist your club in seeding
this wonderful project within your club!
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Partners For Work
As a business leader, have you ever had
concerns regarding workplace safety (liability), limited budget to
justify a paid position, or having enough time and money to effectively
train a new hire? While these are typical concerns of many employers
have in "thinking" about hiring someone with a developmental
disability, PFW has developed this list of Frequently Asked Questions to address myths vs.
facts in hiring quality staff!
What is a developmental disability? This
term is used to describe disabilities that affect a person's
development before age 18, whether physical, social, intellectual or a
combination of the three. Developmental disabilities include: Down
syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive disability and autism. Individuals
with developmental disabilities have a wide range of skills and
abilities that make them strong candidates for employment.
What should I expect from an employee with a developmental disability?
Like anyone else, people with developmental disabilities have strengths
and weaknesses, talents and abilities. These talents could potentially
include things you find beneficial to your workplace such as customer
service skills, team-work, strong motivation for work, or direct
experience and interest in your line of work. There could be someone in
your community with a developmental disability who has some or all of
the specific skills you are looking for to enhance your business.
What do I have to offer?
You may think at first that there are no jobs at your workplace for
someone with a developmental disability. Take a look around. Ask your
managers to list the things that they need done and do not have time to
do, or that take time away from more skilled employees. The
possibilities are endless. You don’t have to work this out alone,
either. If you’re not sure how a person with a developmental disability
can fit into your business, see the contact information below to speak
with a member of the PFW committee.
I can’t offer a full time job – does that mean I can’t hire someone?
Not at all. Many people with developmental disabilities are interested
in working part-time. In fact, part-time employment may be the best way
for an employee to train and master the skills they need for your
business.
How will this affect my other employees?
Many co-workers report that working alongside a person with a
developmental disability has enhanced their teamwork and their work
culture. If your employees are initially uncertain about the concept,
it’s usually because they have no idea what to expect. An Employment
Consultant can help you address this issue in several ways. A site
visit can be arranged to develop a better understanding of your
business. The Employment Consultant can individually meet with staff to
help answer any questions or address concerns that may exist. In some
cases, an employer may be eligible to receive diversity and/or
co-worker trainings that are tailored to your specific business needs.
As business needs and personnel are always changing, technical support
can be provided to help you meet these challenges.
What about accommodating special needs?
If you think about it, you are accommodating the individual needs of
employees all the time. This may range from providing hand rests for
staff using computers, to flex time programs, to providing task lists,
to simply helping a co-worker with physical tasks that they are not
strong enough to do. Most of the time, making accommodations for
someone is simple and does not cost your business anything at all. If
necessary, there are grants available for workplace modifications or
assistive technologies. An Employment Consultant can provide you with
more information.
Will I have support?
Absolutely! If you decide to hire someone with a developmental
disability, an Employment Consultant is available to help you or your
staff train the person. As your new employee learns the skills they
need to do the job, the consultant fades out of the picture. If you
need help teaching your employee new skills later on, a phone call may
be all it takes to bring the consultant back to the worksite. Whether
it’s two weeks, two months or two years later, this resource can assist
you.
What about liability?
As a responsible employer, you are already providing a healthy and safe
workplace, and your business has Workers Compensation and general
insurance coverage. Hiring someone with a developmental disability does
not increase your liability.
Rotary Partners for Work promotes open and honest communication between
employers and employees. If there is a medical condition or anything
else that could affect health and safety on the job, then you need to
know about it, just as you would with any other employee.
What about wages?
Employees with developmental disabilities earn minimum wage or above
depending on the assigned job duties and the employer’s pay scale.
How will this benefit my business?
Many employers are finding it hard to find reliable, long-term,
entry-level employees. People with developmental disabilities are a
labor source that is vastly under utilized by most industries and
businesses. Many employers report that hiring someone with a
developmental disability is not only great for the business community,
but cost-effective toward their bottom line.
RotaCare Free Clinics is a nonprofit corporation formed to bring free
medical care for the relief of pain and suffering to those who have the
most need and the least access to medical care. It is a coalition of
over 1,500 Rotarians, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers,
interpreters and other volunteers who provide free medical care to the
medically underserved in a collaborative effort with hospitals,
clinics, community and social service organizations and service groups.
The clinics have been in existence since 1989, when the first homeless
patient was treated in Santa Clara. Since then RotaCare has expanded to
include clinics around the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Washington,
and New York State.
For more information on RotaCare Free Clinics, please visit the RotaCare website or email
• • •
RENTON ROTACARE CLINIC
The Renton Rotary RotaCare Clinic began in October 2003 as a
collaborative effort between Renton Rotary, Valley Medical Center and
Renton Technical College to provide free medical services to members of
our community who are sick, have no medical insurance and cannot afford
to see a doctor.
This past year our Renton clinic moved to new Salvation Army-Renton
Rotary Food Bank complex located at 206 South Tobin. The Clinic is open
every Saturday from 9:00-11:00 AM to assist disadvantaged children and
families health care needs. An-volunteer staff consisting of
physicians, nurses, and medical records personnel operate the clinic.
Since our Renton Rotary RotaCare Clinic opened the doors, we have seen
over 1,600 individual patients in need of urgent medical care who did
not have the funds to see a doctor.
Medical services include a visit with a physician or other medical
provider and includes treatment of illness or minor injury, screening
of high blood pressure and diabetes, referral for basic x-rays, blood
work, and lab tests related to basic illness or minor injuries, basic
medications related to patient's illness or minor injury and referrals
for ongoing medical care.
We have been able to help:
Many homeless men and women suffering from chronic cold and flu;
A two-year old baby whose parents could not afford the cost
required to see a doctor for a well-child exam in order to qualify
under the State's WIC program for free milk;
A young ex-serviceman whose Army medical insurance had run out who was suffering from a separated shoulder;
A laid-off Boeing worker who had been unable to find a job and
whose medical insurance had run out who could not afford to fill needed
prescriptions;
Students attending Renton Technical College who are on their own
trying to better their life situation by attending classes at RTC and
have no resources to pay for medical services.
This is one of the most significant local projects Renton Rotary
has ever undertaken. All medical services are provided by volunteers —
the funds raised at our annual auction help us provide prescription
medicines, lab tests and x-rays, and limited follow-up medical care for
patients who simply cannot afford the high cost of medical care. The
cost of operating this clinic is $20,000 to $30,000 per year (compared
to the cost of a traditional medical clinic of approximately $250,000
per year).
ROTACARE FREE CLINIC - BELLEVUE
The RotaCare Free Clinic-Bellevue will celebrate its 10th Anniversary
on September 20, 2007. Beginning in the basement of the Cross of Christ
Lutheran Church, the clinic moved in January 2000 to Hopelink, which is
located at 14812 Main Street, Bellevue, Washington.
We provide medical and minor surgical care to Washington State
residents who do not have health insurance; who do not belong to any
health care program; and who cannot afford to pay for healthcare.
The clinic is open Saturday mornings and has served up to 26 patients
on a clinic day. Approximately 75 volunteers support the clinic. They
include MD's, DO's, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Medical
Assistants, Pharmacists, Translators, and Receptionists. An
Administrative Council directs the day-to-day clinic operations, and
the RotaCare Puget Sound Board oversees the three RotaCare Free Clinics
in Bellevue, Renton, and Lake City.
For the Bellevue Clinic, area medical subspecialists and surgical
specialists offer pro bono consultations. Overlake Hospital Medical
Center provides laboratory support. Washington Imaging and Bellevue
Medical Imaging donate x-ray support.
Currently the majority of the clinic's cost goes to purchase
medications for patients, which are billed to us at the DSHS level. Our
annual cost is around $10,000, but if all volunteer services were
purchased, it would cost about $280,000 per year!
On behalf of those who need our services the most, we thank our primary
supporter, The Bellevue Rotary Club, in addition to District 5030, who
has chosen this as a District project.
Often the influence of Rotary crosses over boundaries of time and place
in remarkable ways. More than two years after Hurricane Katrina tore
through the southern Louisiana and Mississippi area, an orange grower
in Port Sulpher, LA, sent an email to RFH. His offer? A small orange
grove roughly an hour's drive south of New Orleans was not going to be
harvested. Would RFH be interested in harvesting some of the fruit?
Rotarians across District 6840 have been working tirelessly to rebuild
communities that were literally wiped off the map by the hurricane.
Some clubs resorted to meeting in private homes and even bare concrete
slabs to survive.
Kerry Lincoln, who owns the family orange grove, was grateful for the
support his family and neighbors received from Rotary First Harvest, a
program of Rotary District 5030 and Rotarians in the community. RFH and
Seattle-area Rotarians organized shipments of support immediately
following Katrina, and Mr. Lincoln hoped to return the favor. Within a
day, RFH had contacted Past District Governor Jerry Fortino of the Rotary Club of Algiers, LA, club.
Working in partnership with RFH director David Bobanick, Jerry and his
club organized a picking crew of Rotary volunteers, friends and family
to harvest the satsuma oranges. Within ten days of sending the email,
Mr. Lincoln met some 40 people in his orchard on a sunny January
morning. Three hours later, the group had picked the orchard, filling a
24 foot truck that was delivered the following morning to food banks in
the New Orleans area.
Rotarians in District 6840 have an opportunity to continue a program
with other growers throughout the region. Mr. Lincoln's neighbors have
already offered their orchards for other Rotary work parties in the
coming weeks. If all goes well, RFH will have a partner program serving
those in need along the Louisiana/Mississippi coastal region.
Click here to read an article about the project that appeared in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
• • •
Rotarians Working to End Hunger in Out Community
Since
our founding as a small project of the University Rotary Club in 1982,
Rotary First Harvest (RFH) has collected and distributed over 120
million pounds of produce.
RFH acts as a conduit between farmers and the programs that serve
hungry individuals and families in our region. Farmers are occasionally
left with surplus fruits and vegetables that can't be sold due to minor
imperfections (such as carrots with two legs or apples that are the
wrong size or color), or might not be harvested because of a glut on
the market.
Traditionally, this nutritious produce would be sent to a landfill or
left to rot in the fields. Instead, RFH directs it to those in need.
Rotary First Harvest's mission is:
To feed the hungry with surplus nutritious food
Access and improve food distribution and transportation systems
The
Four Way Test Ethics Project is modeled on a program developed by the
Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado. The Rotary Club of Fort Collins
has given District 5030 permission to re-post the following
information. You can contact the Rotary Club of Fort Collins for
brochures, video instruction materials, and Four Way Test Medallions.
You can see the full program description that they have developed 
One
of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in
the world is the Rotary 4-Way Test. It was created by Rotarian Herbert
J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of the Chicago based
Club Aluminum Company, which was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a
way to save the struggling company mired in depression-caused financial
difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to
follow in their business and professional lives. The 4-Way Test became
the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with
dealers and customers, and the survival of the company was credited to
this simple philosophy.
We
have found that the "In-School Field Trip" format works extremely well.
The teacher organizes all her speech (for example) periods for a
special 4-Way Test Discussion Exercise in a continuous, two- or
three-period event. School libraries or cafeterias work best putting
5-6 students with one Rotarian around a table. 60 students and 12
Rotarians is a good number. (We once did 120 students at a time and it
was noisy and a little difficult to control.) Doing one in the morning
and another in the afternoon may catch every 9th grader in school!
Rotary
Music4Life is a collaboration among Seattle Public Schools, the
Northwest Youth Music Association, and Seattle Rotary District 5030,
partnering to expand music education for all children in Seattle Public
Schools. 
Since
our founding as a small project of the University Rotary Club in 1982,
Rotary First Harvest (RFH) has collected and distributed over 120
million pounds of produce.