Posted by Pete DeLaunay on Feb 17, 2022
Past President Jeff Borek, taking the podium in place of president Jimmy, opened the meeting promptly at 12:30 p.m. in the Westin’s Cascade Ballroom and via Zoom.  The day’s song, “Put on a Happy Face” was led by Raymond Tymas-Jones accompanied by Ryan Bunbury on the piano; and followed by past Rotary #4 president and District Governor, Cathy Gibson who asked Rotarians to “contemplate the word we” as she described how distress, discord, and division seem to prevail, and where differences are judged and not understood.  “We as Rotarians recognize how we see a world where people unite to make lasting change, " she said, “…being more inclusive and aware – promoting inclusion and equity.”
 
Past President Jeff introduced a colorful Rotarian anniversary video, produced by our Executive Director, Caroline Bobanick; followed by John Kilpatrick who introduced new member Ashley Burman, classification legal services, and a young Rotary leader.  Past President Jeff Borek thank John and reminded Rotarians that new members are the lifeblood of Rotary clubs.
Seattle Rotary Service Foundation trustees Dave Kraft and Charley Dickey provided an update on the 2022 campaign that has raised $214,000 of a goal of $250,000.  “Only 59% of our members have contributed to the campaign,” Dave Kraft said, “from 25 members of the president’s circle ($2500+), and 68 members as Pinkham & Steele donators ($1000+).   Charlie Dickey offered remarks about his support of the campaign, admonishing 143 Seattle #4 Rotarians who have not contributed to the campaign. 
 
For the day’s main program, Past President Jeff asked, “What constitutes ethical business behavior?”  He then introduced author, TedX lecturer and Portland, Oregon, Rotarian, Patrick Galvin, who is currently president of the Portland Rotary Charitable Trust.   
 
Patrick focused on the wisdom of the four-way test and how it has helped millions of people lead better lives as Rotarians.  “The four-way test has helped millions of people live a better life,” he said.  Since its inception in 1932 by a Chicago businessman who sought to develop a reputation for his failing company, the four-way test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and obligates every Rotarian to apply four tests to all that they think, say, and do:
 
It is the TRUTH?
It is FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
He described how the four-way test in 24-words can guide thoughts, words, and actions to lead an ethical life. “When we have something as simple and clear as the four-way test we can use it to foster ethical behaviors,” he continued, “and it is useful in other spheres of my life as Rotary is about friendship, leadership, truth, fairness, and good for all.  The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life”.   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.
“If you believe that the four-way test is powerful you must take it out into the world,” he said,  Leading by example is important and can be effective if our own ethical values come through to the people you can actually change.   
 
Bill Marshall, Business Committee co-chair, came to the podium to describe next weeks’ program as a panel discussion about the value Rotary brings to the UW Foster School of Business.  Seattle Rotarians have guided and coached hundreds of UW students.
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