A study isolated and examined the words most frequently used by voluntary organizations in Atlantic Canada to describe their goals (what), learning objectives and activities (how), and conditions (who/for whom). Research methodology involved (1) administering a questionnaire for identification of goals, learning objectives and activities, and conditions to 3,040 organizations (628 responses), (2) tabulating and ordering eighty descriptive words which were prepared as a checklist, and (3) distributing this questionnaire to 2,050 organizations (953 responses) for similar tabulation of responses. While not definitive, an interesting correlation between each of three pairs of goal categories--recreation and culture, human resources and economic development, and social welfare and health--was indicated. Each was chosen as the second goal of the other. There was also a degree of commonality in each pair's objectives, activities, and conditions. The placement of groupings within the who/whom condition suggests that voluntary associations carry out beneficial activities for not only their membership but also other dissimilar people. Voluntary organizations appeared to identify with their nonformal learning role and were actively pursuing their goals through the planning, coordinating, and evaluating of learning experiences and short courses. (Tables and questionnaires are appended.) (YLB)