Sorry for not answering the original question. Being a young Mason I still have not acquired what I can and can't do/say, so I refer to saying limit/nothing and doing nothing with individuals who I believe will make good Masons. When I say acquired I'm referring to personal comfort, I probably revert to the past traditions of the Traditionals generation who believe their actions will be the guiding influence. This has good and bad effects, Good) the people we really need/want are the ones who ask and pursue Masonry, Bad) we miss out on a lot of potentially good Masons.
Advertising, I do not mean broadcasting on the big screen. I think we as masons can be our biggest advocates and distracters. I visit a town by the name of Italy about once a month, upon entering and leaving town you will find a sign that has the Square and Compasses on it. This may cause some to ask questions about what it means. When people ask questions we better have done the home work to give answers instead of the people who have no clue(radicals who work off presumptions). My friends know I'm a mason but I do not push the subject. Yes, with some of them I've steered the conversation in those directions or have dropped different comments. Ie. a buddy who moved to Kansas he was mentioning his lack of social interaction in his temporary location, I commented I have a friend in all towns etc. This is about the limit of my comfort zone. If he has questions he can ask, should I be more vocal some would answer yes and some may say I've gone to far. I'm not a sales man and I will never become a corner tabloid sales man for Masonry.
While the charities of our masonic organizations have done so much good I don't think we should ever be focused on how to bring people in to keep the stream of money. Instead if we focusing on making Masons instead of card toting members we will see growth in my opinion. Interactions with the community from our members is a good thing and I think if we make Masons we will see those local activities grow. My lodge we have gone from a lodge that was once looking at closing to a lodge that has a fair number of 25 - 55 year olds learning, teaching, and growing. Yeah some would say we are slackers in some areas but in the brotherly love and personal growth I think we are growing and building for the future.