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

Research and Reports

The Role of Volunteers in Co-Producing ‘Whole-of-Society’ Solutions

This article explores how Canada successfully resettled Syrian refugees in 2015 with the help of volunteers. It highlights the importance of co-production, which involves citizens, volunteers, and organizations working together to deliver public services.
1 minute read
Engage Journal
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Migrants +1 more
Articles & Reports

Best Practice Guidelines

Sector designed guidelines to help organisations improve volunteer engagement across the full volunteer lifecycle.
1 minute read
Volunteering New Zealand
General
Research and Reports

The benefits of inclusive volunteering

Research exploring the benefits of inclusive volunteering for volunteers, organisations and service users.
1 minute read
Volunteer Scotland
General
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
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
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
scheduled

Volunteering SA&NT Roadshow Workshop Alice Springs

Connect with volunteer leaders, coordinators and community organisations to share challenges, solutions and good practice. Explore the National Standards, volunteer engagement tools and support from Volunteering SA & NT.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
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

Culturally Sensitive Program Development & Management - Webinar 2

Develop volunteer programs that are culturally sensitive and respectful to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free