Opinion 88-33

March 14, 1988

Topic:          Participation in fund-raising project for a non-profit organization.

Digest:         A judge may not serve as honorary chairman or participate in a fund-raising project involving the preparation and sale of a cookbook for a non-profit organization.

Rules:          Section 100.5(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator.

Opinion:

         A judge inquires whether the judge may serve as honorary chairman of a committee which is preparing a cookbook as a fund-raising project for a non-profit organization.

         Rule 100.5(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts states that, “no judge shall solicit funds for any educational, religious, charitable, fraternal or civic organization or use or permit the use of the prestige of the office for that purpose.”

         As the judge’s participation in this proposed project is for the purpose of raising money for a non-profit organization, Rule 1005(b)(2) prohibits this activity.

         This Opinion is advisory only and is not binding upon either the Office of Court Administration or the Commission on Judicial Conduct.