Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

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.

Forner, V. W., Holtrop, D., Boezeman, E. J., Slemp, G. R., Kotek, M., Kragt, D., Askovic, M., & Johnson, A. (2024). Predictors of turnover amongst volunteers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 45(3), 434–458. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2729

Downloads and sources

Visit source

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

Actions for Volunteer Linking Organisations to Support Online Accessibility for Volunteer Involving Organisations

The VIO Online Accessibility Survey highlights digital gaps in volunteering. It offers strategies, tools, and grants to boost digital capacity, especially for rural and small VIOs, promoting inclusive access and engagement across Australia.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Resources

Self Care

These workbooks, videos and fact sheets promote self-care for mental health, including tips for breaks, mindfulness, and exercise resources.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

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

Rosterfy

Rosterfy is an end-to-end volunteer management software solution, that helps organisations streamline their volunteer management and engagement. Rosterfy offers automated solutions to manage volunteers efficiently.
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

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Involving Organisation

This free inclusion workshop explores how to build inclusive volunteering opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds. Learn to identify and reduce barriers, support young people, and create inclusive teams and workplaces.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Social Media and the Law - May 2026

Social media is a powerful tool. It helps us build connections and raise awareness. Let's step through some key legal risks for not-for-profit organisations that engage with social media, as well as our top tips for managing these risks.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
–
A$49.00
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering in Health - Wollongong

This focus group invites participants to share experiences of volunteering in health settings. Your insights will help inform future support, policy and best practice to strengthen health‑related volunteering in NSW.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free