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

Information

Introductory Self-Assessment Tool for Organisations

The Introductory Self-Assessment Tool for Organisations helps organisations learn about the National Principles, gives examples of what each principle might look like when implemented in practice, and prompts organisations to commit to taking concrete actions to improve their child safe practices.
1 minute read
The National Office for Child Safety
Youth or Student
Research and Reports

Volunteering and disability

Research report on the experiences and perceptions of volunteering from both volunteers living with disability and volunteer involving organisations.
1 minute read
Volunteer Scotland
Disability
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management 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
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

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

Volunteering Rights and Responsibilities

This workshop is designed to build an understanding of volunteer and organisational rights, responsibilities and expected practice.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Bridge to Volunteering - An introduction to volunteering

Learn about volunteering including the benefits of volunteering, rights and responsibilities, and how to get involved in your community.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

AI for project management in volunteer programs

Exclusive to Cert IV students, alumni & CPD: Explore AI for volunteer program management, including practical tools, safety and useful tips
The Centre for Volunteering
Free