Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Research and Reports
1 minute read

Predictors of turnover amongst volunteers A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

This document offers a comprehensive analysis of why volunteers leave and how to keep them engaged. Through a detailed examination of 117 studies, it identifies crucial factors like job satisfaction, communication, and organizational support that influence a volunteer's decision to stay or leave.

Benefits for Volunteer Involving Organisations

Organisations can greatly benefit from this research by understanding the specific needs and motivations of their volunteers. Implementing strategies based on these insights can lead to improved retention rates, saving time and resources in recruiting and training new volunteers.

Practical Applications for Volunteer Management

For volunteer managers, this document provides a clear framework to enhance volunteer engagement. By focusing on effective communication, creating meaningful work designs, and fostering a supportive environment, managers can build a committed volunteer workforce. The emphasis on positive job attitudes and intrinsic motivation highlights the path towards a more satisfied and stable volunteer base.

Summary

This research not only sheds light on the complexities of volunteer turnover but also offers practical solutions for organisations aiming to retain their valuable volunteer workforce.

Downloads and sources

Visit source (opens in new tab)

More about the authors

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Videos or Webinars

Enhance the volunteer experience with Rosterfy and Seek Volunteer

The team from Rosterfy and SEEK Volunteer joined Volunteering Australia for a webinar to debut Australia's first integration with SEEK Volunteer, designed to convert volunteer interest into volunteer hours.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia, SEEK Volunteer, Rosterfy
General
Guides

Best Practice Guidelines

Volunteering New Zealand’s Best Practice Guidelines help organisations create positive volunteer experiences. They provide practical principles, examples and guidance on recruitment, onboarding, support, training, recognition, celebrating impact and volunteer exit.
1 minute read
Volunteering New Zealand Tūao Aotearoa
General
Information

Introductory Self-Assessment Tool for Organisations

The Introductory Self-Assessment Tool for Organisations helps organisations learn about the National Principles, gives examples of what each principle might look like when implemented in practice, and prompts organisations to commit to taking concrete actions to improve their child safe practices.
1 minute read
The National Office for Child Safety
Youth or Student
FreddyMatch
Tech

FreddyMatch

FreddyMatch is a web-based platform that facilitates and optimises the process of volunteering. We help match organisations and volunteers based on their unique interests, skill sets, location and availability using the “FreddyMatch” algorithm.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
GoodCompany
Tech

GoodCompany

GoodCompany is a Workplace Giving Platform based in Australia and NZ. It's designed to enable companies and their people to come together to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and match donations for the charities closest to their hearts.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
scheduled

Masterclass: Advanced Communication for Volunteer Leaders

Discover advanced communication and resolution skills with communication and conflict expert, Tulsi van de Graaff
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Check Listing for Details
scheduled

The Human Need to Contribute

Reconnect with your purpose as a leader and explore how gifts, hope and human potential can strengthen volunteer engagement. Gain fresh insights, practical leadership skills and new approaches to attracting, retaining and inspiring volunteers
VolunteeringWA
–
A$50.00
scheduled

Roma Satellite Event - Queensland Volunteering Conference

Volunteering Queensland and Maranoa Regional Council invite regional communities to the 2026 Queensland Volunteering Conference. This affordable two-day event ($38) offers local learning, networking and collaboration.
Volunteering Queensland
–
Free