Discuss the history of voluntary associations and what motivates people to join

Voluntary association’s history can be traced as far back as 1830’when a Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to the United States and observed that Americans joined a lot of voluntary associations.  These groups are made up of volunteers who organize themselves on the basis of common interests. The motivation to join a voluntary association varies among individuals, while the main reason is a strong conviction concerning the purpose of the association and to help fulfill the group’s goals.  Others join for political reasons or to enhance a job or college application.