In my jurisdiction recruiting is simply not allowed, and I was under the impression that it was like that everywhere. I was apparently wrong. On youtube I found a TV commercial.
YouTube - Freemasonry - Preparing for Greatness
I fully agree with the reasons for not allowing recruiting and support them. However, I must admit I really like this commercial and wished it aired here.
This commercial was produced in 2007 for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. If you go to the website "askafreemason.org" you'll see, at the bottom "AskaFreemason.org was created as a national landing site by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts A.F. & A.M."
If you go to
Prepare for Greatness -- 60 Sec Radio you'll even hear a 1 minute radio commercial by Brother Franklin.
I personally think that there is nothing wrong with these commercials. They are not attempting to, in my opinion, gather young men in to Freemasonry wholesale. As long brethren don't just sign a petition for just anyone who comes through the door in an attempt to increase membership, as long as the investigation committee does it's job, than the commercials will not, in my opinion, cause any harm. As long as the system works correctly, as it has for hundreds of years.
While I am opining on advertising... each of us advertises Freemasonry every day. Some of us wear Masonic jewelery or clothing, others have S&C license plates, others have 2B1ASK1 bumper stickers or car badges on our vehicles. By the way we act and carry ourselves, we portray to the world an image of Freemasonry. Just like there is nothing stopping John Doe from looking at Ben Franklin and saying "I like this man of character who has done great things in this world," and going to askafreemason.org, reading some FAQs and getting lodge contact information, there is nothing stopping Joe Blow from looking at
you and thinking the same thing. We are all walking, talking advertisements for the Craft.