AIDS and volunteer associations: perspectives on social and individual change

In dealing with AIDS, American volunteer associations exemplify Tocqueville's classic analysis of their function: the call for government to address social needs, monitor government shortcomings, and serve those needs beyond the government's compass. Individual volunteers' experience in the epidemic have often empowered them to pursue further goals, rather than succumb to "burnout." AIDS organizations face many challenges, especially in tending to newly affected groups and in pressuring official bodies. They are meeting these challenges by recruiting female and minority group volunteers, and by devising effective tactics in confronting government and corporate groups.