The comparative impact of 2 intensive rural leadership development programs on male and female participants in Montana and Pennsylvania was examined. One goal of the one to three year programs (to increase the participants' involvement in public affairs organization) was tested by analysis of pre- and posttest data regarding participants affiliations with voluntary associations. The associations were divided into expressive organizations (fraternal, sports, religious, military) and instrumental organizations (government, public service, economic associations, political parties). As expected, both male and female program graduates evidenced high participation in voluntary associations, more so in instrumental than in expressive organizations, despite differences between state programs. Differences by sex did occur in some detailed analyses. Men in all but the one year program increased their participation in expressive groups while women did not. Also as expected, there were differences by sex on the types of instrumental organizations in which gains in participation took place. Men showed the greatest increased participation in economic organizations, while women had increased activity in public service and government organizations. In general, the two and three year programs benefitted both male and female program graduates in terms of increased participation in instrumental organizations. (SB)