The Four Way Test

by IPP Kwong Chiew Ee

Everyone seeks validation. Even I do.

I ponder upon this as I was speaking to a friend today about doing what’s right, and what’s fair. I realise that sometimes, when I make decisions, especially when it involves something personal, I tend to seek out for people to validate my actions and decisions.

It turns out, that the root of the problem lies in there; that I always tried to make everyone satisfied and happy and my belief, a wrongful belief was that if everyone’s satisfied, it will be a good decision. But it is just not possible. You can’t make everyone happy.

As I wonder what I should do, and what shall be the best solution to the problem that I have now, it occurs to me that the the guide to my solution has always been here beside me; the four way test:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendship?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This test was introduced by former Rotary International President, Herbert J. Taylor as a guide to ethical practice in all the things we said, think or do. In all our actions, we should ask ourselves the four questions above and if the answers are of the affirmative, we shall go on with the solution. Of course, we may dispute, in a modern and materialistic world that we live in today, it would be impossible for us to strictly follow the test. But I believe that this is of your own will, as no external force can make you disapply the four way test, but yourself.

What comes first for us? Humanity or materialism? I admit it, I would sometimes be swayed to materialism. This, I would say is the result of lack of “spiritualism”. Of course, when I talk about spiritualism, I do not mean religion. By spiritualism, I meant compassion, forgiveness, selflessness, tolerance and humility. It is what shape our humanity and I believe these four-way test can be the guide to our spiritualism. Without spiritualism, there would be no humanity, and without humanity, we are just some lost souls.

And I call for all of you to at least try this four way test at some point of your life. I happen to chance upon a blog about the four way test, and I would like to share it with all of you, my readers. It is something really inspirational. You may think of it as naive, but I think the blog can provides us with so much optimism that we all badly need. Have a peek at it! http://thefourwaytest.wordpress.com/

P/s: This post was written and published two years ago in my personal blog. My experiment with The Four Way Test is still ongoing, but it’s safe to say that it has become my main source of inspiration.

District 3300 Interact Conference

Dec 10, INTI University College, Nilai

Rotaract Club of ATC was given the privilege to address more than 600 Interactors during the recent District Interact Conference on the topic of “Constitutional Rights and Your Rights as Children”.

We thank the organizing club, Rotary Club of Klang for giving us this wonderful opportunity to impart our legal knowledge on our young leaders!

Food Project

The Food Project is now officially up and running. We are in the midst of collecting funds for the needy schoolchildren in SJKT Bandar Kinrara in order for them to be able to have their breakfast in school everyday!

A money collection box has been set up at the ground floor the our ATC, KL Campus. This project is pretty simple. How can you do your part as a kind hearted student/ Rotaractors in ATC?

Just take out RmM1 from your wallet per day and drop it down the donation box! Every RM1 that you put in everyday when you are in college counts! We are so blessed and fortunate that sometimes we just cant understand and feel the distress of the needy in wanting to find money just to fill up their stomachs!

For those working adults that you may donate a lump sum amount of RM 90, RM120, or RM 150 using our pledge forms.

Kindly contact Theebana – 0166984548 if you need the forms.

Thank you and we hope to see the whole donation box filled with all your RM1!

Second Installation Charity Night

The newly installed Board of Directors

The Rotaract Club of ATC celebrated its Second Installation Charity Night on 10 October 2009 at Leslie’s Hideaway, Taman Yarl, OUG. Guests and Rotaracters came dressed to the theme of the night, “Hawaiian”. Staying true to the Club’s motto, “Fellowship through Service”, profits from the event were channeled to the “Little Shoes for the African Children Fund” and the “Food Project for SJKT Bandar Kinrara Fund”, the two new charity funds set up by the Club.

The night was declared opened by the Guest of Honour, President Abuli Motiwala of the Rotary Club of Ampang. A splendid Hawaiian dance performed by the incoming Board of Directors immediately followed to get the crowd going. The crowd was entertained throughout the night by Jaryd Lok and Rakesh from the Music Club and The Swing. Also performing was ATC’s very own Joanna Henley, who is the current Miss Sabah and also the runner-up in Bintang RTM.

The outgoing Board of Directors

The General Manager if ATC, Ms. Betty Chin in her speech recognized the success of the outgoing Board of Directors and gave her vote of confidence to the incoming Board of Directors. The outgoing president, Charter President Kwong Chiew Ee, in her speech took the opportunity to say her thanks to those who have played their parts in the club’s success.

The highlight of the night was of course the passing of the Presidential Medal from CP Kwong Chiew Ee to President Elect Daniel Gan, which symbolized the transition of power from the outgoing president to the incoming president. The newly-installed President, Pres. Daniel then went on to address the audience before installing his Board of Directors. The Club also took the opportunity to present some books to the SJKT Bandar Kinrara School Library. The books are sponsored by Mr. Krishnan s/o Rengasamy.

From left: Pres. Daniel, DRR Sanjeev, First Lady Surya, Pres. Abuli, Ms. Betty and IPP Chiew Ee

The night ended with the incoming board of directors leading the crowd to the dance floor with the song Sway. Overall, the event was a huge success, and it served as a good indication that Rotaract Club of ATC is here to stay despite the retirement of its pioneers. Well done to the newly installed President Daniel Gan and his Board of Directors!

Charity begins at home…

But it doesn’t stop there!

The Second Annual Charity Installation Night

Date: 10th October 2009

Time: 6p.m.- 10 p.m.

Venue: “The HideAway” Taman Yarl, Old Klang Road

Theme: Hawaiian

Price: RM50

All profits will be channelled towards “The Food Project” and “The Little Shoes”. For more info, email dgcy89@hotmail.com

Food Project

Sponsor a meal a day to a child in school

For more info, please contact Rtr Erna at shmerna_werna@hotmail.com or Rtr Theebana at taurisangal_89v@hotmail.com

Little Shoes Launch

It is not uncommon for children in poorer African regions walk barefooted everyday for schooling or getting basic necessities. In doing so, they are exposed to many diseases such as hookwarm disease, strongyloidiasis, podoconiosis and elephanticisis.

The Little Shoes is an initiative by the Rotaract Club of ATC to raise funds to buy shoes for these children. It was launched on 29 August 2009 in the presence of Past President Fiona Bodipalar of the Rotary Club of Ampang, President Caryn Lum of the Rotaract Club of Ampang and members of the Rotaract Club of ATC.

As part of the fund-raising, the club will be selling “Little Shoes” key-chains throughout the year. The key-chains will be sold at a RM 8.00 each and all profits will be channeled towards the Little Shoes Fund. Rotaract Club of ATC will be working in partnership with a Rotaract Club in Africa for this project.

For more info, please contact Amelia Jong (HP: 012-2742901 or E-Mail: ameliajsy91@hotmail.com)

Little Shoes