voluntary association
Freely joined group
A voluntary association is a group that people join by choice rather than birth, assignment, or legal requirement.
Churches, clubs, unions, and political parties are voluntary associations.
The term appears in discussions of civil society, where such organizations mediate between individuals and the state: Tocqueville observed that Americans were prone to forming voluntary associations.
Organization with membership
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- sisterhoodBond among women
lodge · guild · league · union · chapter · congregation · fellowship · assembly
Cooperative community support
- collectiveJointly organized group
- federationUnion of semi-autonomous states
- consortiumCooperative group for ventures
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
confederation · alliance · partnership · syndicate · bloc · collaboration · mutualism · synergy
Organization's internal regulations
- charterFounding organizational document
- electionsFormal choosing of officials
- votingFormally registering a choice
- democracyRule by the people
autonomy · self-rule · consensus · deliberation · ratification · representation · council · board
Regular membership payments
- enrollmentAct of registering officially
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- inductionFormal admission process
- rosterList of members
affiliate · member · allegiance · card-carrying · joining · belonging · participation · subscription
Voluntary aid for others
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- NGOIndependent charitable organization
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- advocacyPleading for a cause
volunteerism · donation · fundraising · humanitarian · relief · aid · grant · endowment
club
Organization with membership
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
- brotherhoodKinship among men
sisterhood · lodge · guild · league · union · chapter · congregation · fellowship · assembly · circle
mutual aid
Cooperative community support
- collectiveJointly organized group
- federationUnion of semi-autonomous states
- consortiumCooperative group for ventures
coalition · confederation · alliance · partnership · syndicate · bloc · collaboration · mutualism · synergy · amalgamation
bylaws
Organization's internal regulations
- charterFounding organizational document
- electionsFormal choosing of officials
- votingFormally registering a choice
democracy · autonomy · self-rule · consensus · deliberation · ratification · representation · council · board · statutes
dues
Regular membership payments
- enrollmentAct of registering officially
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- inductionFormal admission process
roster · affiliate · member · allegiance · card-carrying · joining · belonging · participation · subscription · renewal
charity
Voluntary aid for others
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- NGOIndependent charitable organization
- foundationUnderlying support structure
advocacy · volunteerism · donation · fundraising · humanitarian · relief · aid · grant · endowment · benefactor
voluntary associationgovernment
Authority over a state
state apparatus · bureaucracy · regulatory body · tax authority · police
voluntary associationfamily
Related people together
kinship group · caste · tribe · ethnic group · clan
social, society, associate, volunteer, association, sociable, voluntary, associated, associates