Voluntary work for an organisation, whether or not as a member, is an important phenomenon in France since it concerns 28% of the population over 15 years old. Although the associations do not have the monopoly over this type of socio-cultural involvement, they do account for the vast majority of those who give their time in this way. INSEE's October 2002 survey on the organised civil sector made some important and sometimes new observations about this voluntary work. It found that regular participants are in the minority even though they represent the largest proportion of providers of unpaid work. Sports, culture, leisure and the defence of rights are choice areas for male volunteers, whereas educational and religious activities along with social, charity and humanitarian action are much more female. The influence of factors such as religious observance, place of residence and the presence of children in the household also varies greatly from one field to the next. However, the positive effect of initial training and a family tradition of voluntary work on participation is steadier, albeit not systematic. Involvement in voluntary work is often driven by a multitude of reasons, even if they do not all have the same motivational weight. The desire to help others is the most frequently stated motive, but the desire to meet people is also mentioned as the main motive or a more secondary reason in nearly 60% of cases. A joint study of volunteers' profiles and motivations underscores the broad diversity that marks the world of voluntary work.