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?

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
Information

Not-for-profit Insurance

This guide explains different insurance options for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in Australia. It covers property, cyber, volunteer, management liability, public liability, and more.
1 minute read
AoN
General
Resources

Language Guides

This information, guides and videos provide resources for appropriate language to use when talking about sensitive topics like trauma, drugs/alcohol, emapthy and de-escalation.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, The Knowledge Base
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
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
scheduled

Foundation Workshop: Understanding Volunteer Management, Challenges and Opportunities

If you are a new volunteer manager or an emerging Volunteer involving organisation this information-rich workshop is essential for you. This session looks at, but is not limited to: What volunteer management entails and the best practices as a leader, The changes and trends in volunteering & more.
Volunteering WA
–
This workshop is free for VWA members and $30 for Others
scheduled

The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and Accreditation

Take the next step in your volunteer involvement by pursuing National Standards accreditation
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Workshop: Applying the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Join us on the Wednesday 3 December 2025 for a workshop tailored for Volunteer Managers, Coordinators, and Leaders. This workshop, facilitated by Volunteering Tasmania, focuses on the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and how you can apply them in your Volunteer Involving Organisation.
Volunteering Tasmania
–
Free