THERE IS NO SINGLE PROFILE FOR THE MODERN VOLUNTEER. THEY COME FROM A CROSS SECTION OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LEVELS, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, RACE, AGE, AND LIFESTYLE. FIVE GENERAL CATEGORIES OF VOLUNTEER WORK ARE PREVALENT: (1) THE DIRECT HELPER, WHO PROVIDES A SERVICE TO A CLIENT; (2) THE 'CONNECTOR,' WHO ACTS AS A CONNECTING LINK BETWEEN A NEEDY PERSON AND THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY; (3) 'CAUSE VOLUNTEERS,' WHO ARE INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO EFFECT A PARTICULAR CHANGE OR REFORM; (4) THE 'DECISIONMAKER' VOLUNTEER, WHO IS INVOLVED IN ADMINISTRATION AND POLICYMAKING; AND (5) THE 'MONITORING' VOLUNTEER, WHO UNDERTAKES MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PUBLIC AGENCIES. PEOPLE ARE BECOMING VOLUNTEERS NOT ONLY FOR ALTRUISTIC PURPOSES, BUT ALSO FOR CAREER PREPARATION. VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES ON JOB RESUMES CAN BE INFLUENTIAL IN OBTAINING A JOB RELATED TO THE VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES. VOLUNTEERISM CAN ALSO PROVIDE A VISIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT INCREASES THE VOLUNTEER'S INFLUENCE IN SOCIAL ACTION AND POLITICAL GROUPS. NATIONAL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HELPED TO INCREASE THE INFLUENCE OF VOLUNTEER CONCERNS IN PARTICULAR AREAS OF INTEREST. SOME OF THE NEW CONFRONTATIONS WITH VOLUNTEERISM COME FROM WOMEN'S RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND UNIONS. THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT CHALLENGES EXPLOITATIVE USES OF VOLUNTEERS, WHO ARE MOSTLY WOMEN, AND UNIONS ARE CONCERNED THAT VOLUNTEER LABOR DOES NOT REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PAYING JOBS. THE CHALLENGE FOR VOLUNTEERISM IS TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATORS OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WHO CAN EXPAND THE SCOPE AND QUALITY OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES. (RCB)