Vocational Services

This avenue emphasizes the need for Rotarians to personally represent their vocations to fellow members, and also to put into practice in their business and professional lives the high ideals of Rotary.  It involves such areas as employer-employee relations, career guidance for young people, and promoting high standards of conduct by professional and trade associations. It is a daily individual living experience to answer the question, "What can I do in my daily work to be a little more helpful and friendly to others?"; It is also a collective action through club,  committee and district programs aimed at promoting Rotary's service  objectives worldwide through club-sponsored programs such as business conferences, vocational workshops, career seminars for secondary school students, and international exchanges of vocational students.

Sometimes these can overlap with Community and International Services.  One definition is: "Vocational Service is putting Rotary to work where we work - and in all our lives."  The basic thrust is that a Rotarian should personally contribute to society through his or her business or profession.  Many Rotarians believe one way of accomplishing this in their day-to-day working lives is to apply The 4 Way Test.  Developed by RI President Herbert Taylor in 1954-55, it's a simple four-question test of the things we think, say or do:

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

Vocational Service Committees suggested:

• Employer-Employee Relations
• The 4-Way Test
• Career information
• Trade and Professional Relations
• Others, as needed
• Vocational Service at the international level, e. g., via the Rotary Foundation programs.