This curriculum unit on citizenship education examines some voluntary associations which Americans join to accomplish certain objectives. The purposes of the unit are to show students how associations take positions on certain issues, such as reforming Congress or amnesty, and how they work to effect governmental policies. It is hoped that students can draw conclusions about these groups. Then, they can become more effective members of the groups they join because they can better analyze a group's purposes, operations, and effectiveness. After briefly discussing the historical background of voluntary associations, political participation, and power, four specific organizations are reviewed: League of Women Voters, Common Cause, American Legion, and Friends Committee on National Legislation. Based on the fight for women's right to vote, the League educates its members about issues, takes consensus positions and oversees its interest in government proceedings, and works for improvement in local government. Common Cause is a growing citizen's lobby group which monitors Congress and federal agencies to cause legislative reform. The American Legion recruits veterans of American wars and effectively influences legislation pertaining to veterans and radicalism, but it is losing its clout due to changing values and attitudes. The influential Friends Committee, a small association based on Quaker morality, takes positions on issues of Congressional reform and amnesty. (Author/ND)