Volunteering extends into almost every facet of life but the circumstances in which it takes place are subject to almost constant change. Historical roots of altruistic, charitable, and campaigning behaviours are still evident, but the importance of different motivations maybe be altering. Organizations involving volunteers seek to understand volunteer motivations and to find better ways to manage volunteers. And yet there is still disagreement as to how far management techniques from paid work are suitable for volunteers. Meanwhile, the reach of government seems ever stronger as volunteering continues to offer ways to affirm what it means to be a participatory citizen and to provide a considerable resource to stretched welfare budgets. This chapter looks at these points with a view to introducing how these challenges shape the chapters that follow.