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

Resources

Volunteer Involvement Cycle

The Volunteer Involvement Cycle guides managers through Prepare, Recruit, Support, and Evaluate stages, aligning with National Standards to enhance volunteer engagement. Developed under the National Volunteer Management Activity project.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, Volunteering Australia, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Information

Recognising and valuing volunteers

Practical guidance on recognising and valuing volunteers through everyday practices and formal approaches.
1 minute read
Volunteer Scotland
General
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
VIKTOR
Tech

VIKTOR

VIKTOR is a volunteer recruitment system designed to run a referral service for volunteers. It allows you to create and advertise volunteer roles, enter volunteers and match them to roles offered by your members.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
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
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
scheduled

Conflict as a catalyst for change

Managing Conflict with Volunteers explores why difficult conversations are often avoided and how delays can worsen conflict. Learn practical approaches to addressing challenging behaviour, setting boundaries and resolving issues constructively.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

International Day of People with Disability - and Volunteering

A session on the NSW Disability Inclusion Volunteering Guidelines, exploring how organisations can support and include volunteers with disability in their programs.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free