In 1978-79 about 50 organizations and 50 individuals in Potsdam, New York, were surveyed by questionnaire to: (1) identify services performed by voluntary social organizations and other publicly supported social organizations using voluntary help; (2) estimate the amount of volunteer work contributed; (3) analyze "reasons" which motivate individual workers to volunteer; and (4) identify problems facing social organizations in performing their functions and to suggest possible solutions. The organizations provided a wide variety of public services (fire protection, education, culture, recreation, etc.) and volunteer workers came from across the community with the majority connected in some way with two local colleges. Approximately 147,000 hours per year were volunteered. If such services were not available, some social organizations would have to close and others would be curtailed severely. People volunteered because of altruism, commitment to a cause, expertise in a particular area, seeing children benefit from services, spirit of self-reliance, etc. Various social organizations felt they lacked adequate funds, volunteer workers, organizational coordination, and moral support. It would be helpful if volunteer contributions to the community were recognized by the media and public officials through fiscal support and a "volunteer week." (BRR)