Conventional wisdom would have us believe that we are a nation made up of disinterested, disengaged and uninvolved people. Our survey clearly shows that this is not the case. We found that people are engaged at a local level where they can feel the impact of their efforts. Membership in organizations is higher than previously reported. The average respondent has more than four memberships in more than three types of organizations.
Religion is the leading type of organizational involvement for all age groups.
Sixty-one percent of those surveyed belong to some type of religious organization. Health and sports clubs, professional trade groups, school groups, and neighborhood groups are other types of formal organizations that Americans are joining. Yet the meaning of community varies with age. Respondents between the ages of 31 and 71 frequently thought in terms of places while those under 30 were more likely to speak in terms of informal groups. Contrary to widespread fears, most Americans feel a sense of attachment to the communities in which they live.