This study addresses the social impact of information technologies upon rural communities by examining the relationship between external orientation (the relative frequency of long distance versus local communication) and participation in voluntary roles within the community. The association between leadership positions and communication patterns is also studied.One hundred and seventy-nine community members and leaders from a rural northern community completed questionnaires. In addition, 24 leaders of voluntary community organizations participated in in-depth interviews. A stepwise regression analysis was run with external orientation as the criterion, and the formal participation variables (membership in community organizations; committee membership; executive positions held; and number of meetings attended) as predictor variables. Committee membership was found to be the only significant predictor. The negative regression co-efficient indicated the higher the external orientation scores, the lower the rate of participation. Analysis did not indicate a significant association between community memberssense of community and external orientation.While community members identified external orientation as an important leadership quality, there was not a significant association found between holding a leadership role and external orientation. Leaders did suggest the leadership position itself led to increased communication both within and outside the community.Information technologies were found to have mixed impact upon rural communities. This study adds to the understanding of the interdependence between global and local systems within contemporary communities.