CONTINGENCIES IN VOLUNTARY CAREER 55 their term of office. As a relatively young (about a decade) group with a modest treasury, the organization has not been able to afford much staff. In consequence, women with free time have been pressed into service as key officers. Some unemployed hope EFW activity will lead to salaried work; others, along with the retired, have no such aspirations and wish solely to make a contribution to a worthwhile cause. But all say they work because of their belief in feminist ideals; and all believe that women should find gainful employment through their volunteer activity if they wish it. This pattern suggests the mixture of professional,self- and altruistic interests which motivate women to rise in the EFW network. Four women hope to gain paid careers through or after their intensive efforts at EFW. And these hopes are not unreasonable. In this sample, six women found work, or advanced in their professional careers through EFW participation. One woman symbolizes what EFW participation can offer in her own meteoric rise. She became, on the strength of her activities, an aide to a senator concerned with redressing sex discrimination through legislation. Her combination of research skills, political and literary talents brought her to the attention of an influential Washington-based organization where she is now the director of an important project. She is a nationally and internationally known spokeswoman against sex discrimination. Her salary and perquisites are commensurate with her duties as an important executive in the organization and administrator of a large project. Ideals and Advantages Six women in the sample seemed most altruistic in their efforts. One who holds high office is unique in this sample in preferring not to work for salary. Ms T: I think if you are a volunteer on the professional level, you're really a policy volunteer and working, only not getting paid for it. It gives you the greatest kind of freedom. That's why I don't work. I like my freedom. That's the best way to say it. Of the remaining five, two are retired and engage in EFW as an important share of their total volunteer work. Three offer volunteer service as an adjunct to other careers without any apparent effort to turn EFW activity to professional advantage. Finally two women participate in EFW even though they feel it has hurt their professional careers. Ms K: The (EFW) board meetings take up 24 hours when they come up. And I do a lot of speaking at women's organizations. And then there are constant telephone calls and mail to be answered. Thus as (EFW) delegate to the State Legislative Round Table, I have to go to three meetings. I leave home at six in the morning and don't come back until seven at night. Then I have to go (to the State Capitol) to testify on bills. It is killing my trial calendar. And it is taking the food right out of my mouth. Some days are totally taken up with EFW business: a fourth of my professional time (as a lawyer) and my