Can we solicit advertisements for our Lodge newsletter?
That is a good question. We used to have a newsletter and I really would like to start a quarterly one up again this year. But with money being tight I am just not sure how to sell the idea to the members.
Sorry, guys. Grand Master's Decision 2003-#1 answers the question "Is it permissible for a Lodge to include advertisements in its newsletter to defray the cost of the publication?" thus: "No. Article 505.3 prohibits such advertisements."
Here's the text of Art. 505.3 (4):
"4. Publish or print, or participate in the publishing or printing, or advertise in, subscribe for or, solicit advertisement or subscriptions for, or otherwise knowingly aid, any publication not authorized under the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas and approved by the Grand Master, which publication uses the word “Masonry,†“Masons,†or any derivations of such word, in the title, slogan, catch word or advertisements of such publication, or any insignia, emblems, hieroglyphs, or Masonic picturization as a part of the format of such publication or which purports to be for or in the interest of Masons or Masonry, except as permitted under the immediately preceding subparagraph."
Seems like in my Texas Mason Magazine there were all kinds of advertisements.... HMMMMM :7: