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

Guides

Youth Ready Assessment

A guide to check and assess how well a volunteering program appeals to young people across five focus areas.
1 minute read
Volunteering Victoria
Youth or Student
Guides

National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are a best practice framework to guide volunteer involvement in Australia. They are an essential resource for Volunteer Managers.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
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
Volaby
Tech

Volaby

Volaby is an end-to-end volunteer and people management platform, enabling organisations to do more with less! Built from the collective voice of our volunteer managers using the platform, Volaby helps you automate and simplify the volunteer and manager experience to save time and scale impact.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
scheduled

Employment Pathway: Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment

This webinar explores how volunteering can support pathways into paid employment. Learn how to build employable skills through volunteering, articulate transferable experience, and create pathways that help volunteers transition into the workforce.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Future-Ready Volunteering Workshop

These workshops create space for local conversation, shared learning & connection that online sessions can’t match. You’ll unpack what the findings mean for your organisation, test ideas with peers, and leave with practical approaches to use straight away
Volunteering Victoria
Free
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering Local Health Districts Community of Practice

This focus group invites participants to share insights on volunteering within Local Health Districts and a Community of Practice model. Feedback will inform future collaboration, support and best practice to strengthen volunteer involvement.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free