Despite differences forged by history and happenstance, Russians and Westerners have a great deal in common, most notably a sense of charity. We have all seen Muscovites from every walk of life give what they can to the beggar or pensioner in dire straits, even if they have little themselves. This instinctive benevolence will play an important role as the former Soviet Union . restructures itself into a modern society. Charity is also a vital cog in Western life, be it on an individual or corporate scale. But these are habits that can easily get lost, especially in a country that is not your own. Volunteerism and worthwhile causes are not requisites for survival, and for many foreigners the main concern in Moscow's unfamiliar environment is self-preservation. Still, it doesn't have to be that way. For woven into the intricate patterns of Moscow in 1992 are innumerable opportunities to donate money or lend a hand. The venues are as varied as the city itself.

The U. S. Embassy is reviewing a policy that has allowed Americans who are not diplomats to use the cafeteria and recreational facilities at the embassy compound, John Ohta, a press office spokesman said. The governing body of the American Embassy Community Association, which manages those facilities, voted recently to eliminate the associate member category and is no longer accepting any new associate memberships, he said. ""A moratorium has been placed on approving new associate memberships due to the explosive growth of the association"", Ohta said. Both full and associate memberships are up for renewal this month. Current associate members, which number about 400, will be allowed to extend through Dec. 31, he said. The embassy will review the board's decision and ""will consider several proposals"", Ohta said. , Primary factors in the decision concern a routine State Department inspection of the embassy that began this week and overuse of the facilities at the compound, he said.