Ethics in Action

Thursday, 23 of May of 2013

In July 2007, Rotary Zones 23 and 24 (now Zones 25 and 26) started an Ethics Initiative by creating a Zone Ethics Committee to work with the Josephson Institute. After surveying adults and youth involved in Rotary programs for youth, the Josephson Institute and the Committee created Living the 4-Way Test: The Rotary Ethical Leadership Framework for Youth. This Framework is the basis for ethical leadership training for RYLA, Interact, and Rotaract members.

In late 2009, the District 5320 Ethics Committee was formed. The members include:

Patricia Brainerd, Newport-Irvine Rotary Club, Chair
Kathryn Courtney, Long Beach Club
Don Gonneville, Monarch Beach Sunrise Club
Carolyn Johnson, Fullerton Sunrise Club

RYLA

Current Status – The Ethics Committee met with RYLA adult leadership and shared the Framework material with them. This material was given to the RYLA alums, who incorporated basic themes into the 2010 RYLA program.

Future Status – The Ethics Committee, RYLA adults and alums, will develop and implement training modules for future RYLA programs.

Interact

Current Status – During the Interact Quarterly District training in March, the Ethics Committee surveyed Interact members to ascertain their ethical issues and concerns. At Rotary Family Day on May 22, 2010, Committee members responded to the Interactors input with a training module on Respect.

Future Status – The Ethics Committee will continue these training opportunities during Interact Quarterly meetings and at the Multidistrict Symposium in October 2010.

Rotaract

Current Status – At Rotary Family Day, an Ethics Committee member introduced the 4-Way Test to Rotaractors as one of the highest levels of moral development via a Power Point presentation and a question/answer session.

Future Status – Rotaractors were very enthused about the presentation and requested that they participate in further trainings and also work with and mentor Interactors in this area.

Rotary Clubs

Current Status – At District Assembly in 2009 and 2010, incoming club officers had the opportunity to attend workshops on the 4-Way Test as a high level of moral thought. At the May 11 Presidents Meeting, the guest speaker, Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., Phd., kicked off the District’s adult initiative in ethics with a presentation on Business Ethics.

Future Status – The Ethics Committee will meet during the summer to create programs and opportunities for Rotary clubs to continue this initiative. The possibilities include the creation of an Ethics Speakers list to invite to club meetings and District-wide quarterly ethics seminars.

Multidistrict Interact Symposium

Future Status – Interactors, RYLA alums, and Rotaractors will be participating in this Symposium in October. Ethics Committee members have volunteered to assist in the preparation and presentation of ethical training modules. Rotaractors have also volunteered to work with the Interactors.

Contact

For more information about the Ethics programs available in District 5320 for your Rotary club and the Interact or Rotaract club you sponsor, contact Ethics Committee Chair Pat Brainerd.