I first found out about “the” fact checking website on the internet years ago. Friends would send me politically charged stories that just seemed too good to be true. They almost always turned out to be as I had figured: made-up stories with perhaps some element of truth and the rest wishes and perhaps a down-right lie or two – much like “news articles” you might read in tabloids near the check-out stands at grocery stores. People often want to believe something so much they suspend common sense and go with their heart. People will follow their hearts down almost any path that promises them agreement with something they already believe.
I first found out about “the” fact checking website on the internet years ago.The website I visited before was the Urban Legends Reference pages, which was the forerunner of Snopes.com. Some people call me a Social Media Provocateur . . . well, if you check that out on Snopes you might find that I am the only one who calls me that, but so what? I post on Facebook all the time, but try to assert only what I know to be true, which means I either track down informative articles from known news sources or check statement details on Snopes.
In October I read an article in the Seattle Times about David Mikkelson, the driving force behind Snopes, who lives in Tacoma. A day or two later I read an article about Mikkelson in the The News Tribune. As soon as I saw the Seattle article I contacted the Snopes organization asking about the chances of David Mikkelson speaking in Tacoma. After checking available dates, the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 Program Chair Hunter George was able to book David Mikkelson as the program for the Rotary meeting at the Tacoma Yacht Club on February 28th. Mikkelson’s program will be mostly Q&A, so it should be a lively affair. Rotarians and interested members of the community who would like to attend should contact the Rotary office: 253-473-7723.
The Four-Way Test* of the things we think, say or do is a test used by Rotarians world-wide as a moral code for personal and business relationships.“The Four-Way Test* of the things we think, say or do is a test used by Rotarians world-wide as a moral code for personal and business relationships. The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life. The test was scripted by Herbert J. Taylor an American from Chicago as he set out to save the Club Aluminum Products Distribution Company from bankruptcy. It was later adopted by Rotary International, the global federation of Rotary service clubs.” – Wikipedia
*The first question of The Four Way Test: Is it the truth?
Interested. What time is this meeting? a.m. or p.m.? I’ve been referring folks to Snopes for years. (also recall Urban Legends)
Mary,
Thanks for reading and writing. Rotary is a lunch meeting. Reservations are required: the Rotary office can be reached at 253-473-7723.
I hope to see you there. I’m thinking the Q&A will be lively!
Thanks, again for reading and commenting.
Dpm
Don,
You write about a service club that I have loved ever since they awarded me a $200 scholarship to attend UPS. Their investment in a 19 year old kid really motivated me to do my best so as to not waste their $200.
The 4-Way Test is an important part of Rotary and is a concept that should be adopted by all citizens regardless of whether they are a member or not.
But you have only given 1 of the 4 tests thereby leaving us hanging in the air wondering, “What are the other 3 Rotary Tests?”
Let me guess.
Test 1: Is it true?
Test 2: If it is just a small lie, does it not matter?
Test 3: If no one is watching and I can make a fast buck does it not count?
Test 4: Is it okay to ignore ethical standards if I have a good lawyer?
I have to admit that I have heard and seen the Rotary’s 4-Way Test, but as you can see, I might be a little bit foggy on the concept. Help us, Don. What is the rest of the 4-Way Test?
I need to know before it is too late.
Joseph Boyle
Joseph,
There used to be a TV program called Youth Wants to Know . . . I’ve met you, so I know you are not part of that movement . . . but I would be happy to fill you in. Actually, it’s amazing when I think about it, that Rotary touched me well decades before I became a member. My mother worked in the office of the Boy Scouts in downtown Tacoma. Rotary was a big sponsor of the scouts . . . and one of the people she interacted with was Bill Leake, who was one of my favorite Rotarians of all times, and a past president of the club. Also, like you, Rotary touched my friend Jan Runbeck well before I knew her when they made her an Ambassadorial Scholar and donated to her studying in India.
When I was club president in Tacoma I did two things that shook up the club. I hugged guests and speakers, and fellow Rotarians at the head table. And I also began calling on our Rotarians to lead us in the Four Way Test. Some people said they wouldn’t be hugged and they wouldn’t lead the Four Way Test. I think they were all afraid of looking like a fool, of course. They didn’t realize that I asked everyone at the head table if it was okay to hug them and I always let people know in advance I would be calling on them to lead us in the Four Way Test. I figured that worrying would keep people on their toes and they would be prepared even if I never called on them. Both actions soon became the normal things to do.
The Four-Way 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 GOODWILL and better FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned.?
Strange, but I have to stop and think it over, but I can still recite the Jaycee Creed at anytime. Both are worthy comments of living in this world.
Thanks for reading and asking about the rest of the test.
Don
Thanks Don. As you might guess, I am familiar with the 4-Way Test. I just wanted to goad you into presenting all 4 parts of the test. Thank you for doing so. Now if more people will try to live by the 4-Way test, Rotarian or not, we will live in a better world.
Joseph Boyle
Joseph,
Indeed. I think the hard part of life and improvement of our species is to bring closer together the things we think, say, or do with what we say we believe. Reality sometimes falls short.
Like you, I do believe we can make this a better world.
Don