Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
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

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

Resources

Foundations of Volunteer Management: Lead Team Effectiveness

Boost leadership in volunteer teams with modules on cohesion, innovation, performance, and communication. Aligned with BSBLDR414, this e-learning supports confident, inclusive leadership and effective issue resolution.
2 minute read
The Knowledge Base, National Volunteer Management Activity Project, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
Articles & Reports

Volunteering in Australia 2022: The Organisation Perspective

A practical research resource focused on improving risk management and support across volunteer programmes.
1 minute read
Kirsten Holmes, Leonie Lockstone-Binney, Amanda Davies, Kirsten Holmes, Patrick D. Dunlop, Leonie Lockstone-Binney, Amanda Davies, Hawa Muhammad Farid, Callan Lavery
General
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
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
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

Cairns Satellite Event - Queensland Volunteering Conference

Volunteering Queensland and FNQ Volunteers Inc invite regional communities to connect with the 2026 Queensland Volunteering Conference. This affordable two-day event ($38) offers local learning, networking and collaboration opportunities.
Volunteering Queensland
A$38.00
scheduled

Introduction to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

This workshop guides participants through the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, Australia’s best practice roadmap for volunteering professionals.
Volunteering Victoria
Free
scheduled

Masterclass: Diversity, Inclusive Language, and Unconscious Bias

Understand the needs of diverse volunteers, create welcoming and inclusive experiences, and address unconscious bias.
The Centre for Volunteering
Check Listing for Details