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

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
Tools or Toolkits

Competencies for managers of volunteers

Self assessment tool identifying key competencies for managers of volunteers and supporting skills development and improvement
1 minute read
Volunteering New Zealand
General
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
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
VIKTOR Lite
Tech

VIKTOR Lite

VIKTOR Lite enables volunteer involving organisations to recruit volunteers via a range of websites run by local governments, state peaks, local volunteer resource centres, Volunteering Australia and SEEK Volunteer.
Volunteer database Recruitment Onboarding / training Reporting
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
scheduled

Building an Inclusive Volunteer Program

This interactive workshop will provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to recruit, engage, and retain a diverse team of volunteers, including reviewing organisational procedures and workplace culture.
Volunteering Victoria
–
Free
scheduled

Not-for-profit Risk: Current Legal Issues for the Board Agenda - Sep 2026

Stay up to date on key legal risks affecting not-for-profits. This webinar covers psychosocial hazards, privacy, cyber security and AI, with practical guidance on risk management, director liability and governance.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
–
A$49.00
scheduled

SEEK Volunteer drop-in support session

On 30 July, Volunteering Queensland replaced member access to the VIKTOR volunteer recruitment platform with SEEK Volunteer. Join this drop-in support session, co-hosted with the SEEK Volunteer team, to get help navigating the platform.
Volunteering Queensland
–
Free