Rotary 4-Way Test Contests
Rotary’s 4-Way Test is one of the most powerful guides to ethical behavior in existence. Rotarians work with speech and English teachers in local middle schools encouraging student participation in an essay and/or speech contest applying the 4-Way Test to student’s life, experiences and/or society in general.
Organizing A 4-Way Test Contest
The following outline and sample forms are designed to facilitate implementation of a 4-Way Test Contest in your community’s middle schools. The 4-Way Test Essay Contest is for 7th graders and the 4-Way Test Speech Contest is for 8th graders.
Time Schedule
A. August/September
Contact school and request their participation in your contest. Send announcements to language arts teachers at all area middle schools announcing contest. Include the following information:
- Who is eligible to compete
- Rules
- Copy of 4-Way Test
- Copy of scoring sheet
- Competition procedures
- Prizes
- Deadlines and dates of competition
- Club winner registration sheet
- 4-Way Test resource information
The timing as to when the contests are to be held in the schools is different for the essay and speech contests. In Oregon, 7th grade students must pass a state required test in January or February. Therefore language arts teachers in Oregon will want to have the essay contest near the beginning of the school year.
B. January - Local Rotary Club Contest
- Recommended deadline for receiving essays should be by the first week of February. Before any information is sent to schools, your group must decide who is to be responsible for judging essays at this stage – people appointed by your club or English teachers appointed by someone at the local school. Each Rotary club may submit one essay for competition.
- Awards can include First through Third Place. Trophies and/or certificates.
C. March
- By March 31, mail local winner’s registration sheet along with the original essay to:
Ray Fields
PO Box 728
McMinnville, OR 97128-0728
D. April - District Competition
- Essay: 5 judges will independently score each essay submitted by the local Rotary Club. Rotary Clubs will be notified of the District first, second and third place winners. Clubs are encouraged to invite the essay winners to the District Conference to receive their Savings Bonds.
- Speech: 3 judges
- Savings Bond Prizes are being furnished by Columbia State Bank
Eligible Contestants
- Essay - seventh grade students
- Speech - eighth grade students; Finalist to be determined at District Conference