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CEBC - Rotary High School Ethics Essay Competition, 2007-2008

 

    

Increasing awareness of ethics and corporate social
responsibility issues among future generations of leaders.

Updated: 30 November 2007

 

We welcome your participation in the Ethics Essay Competition organized by Rotary Districts 5950, Rotary District 5960 and the Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC).

 

Eligibility   

The essay competition is open to sophomore, junior and senior high school students within Rotary Districts 5950 and 5960. Children of Rotarians are eligible to enter the competition.

 

Essay Topic              

Modern electronic communications technologies foster the easy and rapid exchange of tremendous amounts of personal information and potential misinformation. Cell phones, texting, Facebook, YouTube, uploads of photos, MySpace, blogs, email, software or music downloads, etc. are all part of the picture. In and of themselves, these technologies may not be morally questionable. However, the way these technologies are used and the circumstances in which they are used in our lives can raise many ethical questions. What is right? What is wrong? What goes too far? How can we decide?

The topic for this essay competition has two components:

  • First, identify a specific technology and a specific way and circumstances in which that technology has been used, and state the ethical issue that is raised by that use. (Up to 25% of Your Essay)

  • Second, and most important, state and defend your position on whether that specific use of the technology is ethical or unethical by applying the Rotary 4-Way Test. (75% of Your Essay)

In so far as it is possible, please draw on your personal knowledge or experiences or on the experience of friends where you have direct knowledge. Please do not use the real names of individuals as you describe situations or issues.

 

Resource Materials

"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?"*

*Source: Rotary International website - www.rotary.org.

Rules

  • Only essays will be accepted.

  • Each essay must represent the original work of the author.

  • Limit of one essay entry per person.

  • Essays are limited to 500 words, not including the title page or bibliography.

  • Page format: word document; double spaced; single sided; 12 pt. font size; 1” margins; pages must be numbered; and, each page, except the title page, must have a footer with the name of author and title of essay.

  • Title page must include: title of essay; name of author; grade of author (sophomore, junior or senior); name of school; and, school address and telephone number.

  • Essays, sent as a word document attachment, must be submitted via email to the Center for Ethical Business Cultures at mail@cebcglobal.org.

  • Essays must be received by January 31, 2008.

  • Essays will not be returned.

  • Permission of authors will be requested to use essays to promote or publicize the competition.

 

Prizes              

One grand prize winner and one second prize winner will be selected.* The monetary prizes are to be utilized to further a student’s education: 

  • 1 Grand Prize of $2,500

  • 1 Second Prize of $1,500

What is meant by “prizes are to be utilized to further a student’s education”? Given the vast range of educational opportunities, and their associated costs, competition winners are responsible for deciding how best to invest their prize monies. For example, funds could be applied towards the:

  • purchase of a computer and related software and accessories

  • cost of an exchange program such as the Rotary Youth Exchange

  • cost of educational music camp, language camp, etc.

  • purchase of text books

  • cost of college application fees

  • cost of college entrance exams

  • cost of tuition

  • etc.

Applicable taxes are the responsibility of the winner.

*If in the opinion of the judges no acceptable essay is submitted, no awards will be given.      

 

Judging

Essays will be judged by a combination of Rotarians, business leaders and educators. 

Each essay will be judged according to the following criteria:

Criteria

Points

  • Understanding of subject matter. (i.e. ethical reasoning, application of Rotary Four-Way Test, etc.)

1 - 15 points

  • Structure of essay. (i.e. persuasive argument, conclusions)    

1 to 7 points

  • Writing. (i.e. grammar, spelling, sentence structure, concise language, etc.)  

1 to 3 points

A total of twenty-five (25) points is possible.

 

The judges' decisions are final.

 

Timeline

All entries must be received via email by CEBC no later than January 31, 2008.  

Awards will be presented in April 2008 at a joint Rotary District 5950-5960 Conference at the Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Alexandria, MN. Travel expenses are the responsibility of essay winners.

 

About the Organizers

  • The Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC) assists business leaders in creating ethical and profitable business cultures at the enterprise, community, and global levels. CEBC's staff speak in numerous public settings and conduct public forums promoting ethical leadership; provide leadership and development services including board governance for corporate, non-profit and government organizations; and with its University of St. Thomas academic partner, facilitate research in ethical cultures and help to educate the next generation of business leaders. 

  • Rotary District 5950 consists of 3,100+ Rotarians in 60 clubs serving the greater Minneapolis area as well as central and southwestern Minnesota. To learn more about Rotary District 5950, please visit www.rotary5950.org.

  • Rotary District 5960 consists of 3,500+ Rotarians in 66 clubs serving communities in western Wisconsin and most of southeastern Minnesota. To learn more about Rotary District 5960, please visit www.rotary5960.org.

 

 

Center for Ethical Business Cultures

1000 LaSalle Avenue, TMH 331 ▪ Minneapolis, MN 55403-2005 ▪ USA

Phone: 651 962 4120 or 800 328 6819 Ext. 2-4120 ▪ Facsimile: 651 962 4042

Email: mail@cebcglobal.org

 

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Business Partnering with the University of St. Thomas - Minnesota