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

Guides

Working with older volunteers

Guide outlining key considerations for organisations when involving and supporting older volunteers.
1 minute read
Volunteering Queensland
Older Volunteers
Information

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
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Migrants +2 more
Information

Money, volunteers and disability

Resource exploring the economic context for people living with disability and how this can impact participation in volunteering.
1 minute read
Volunteering Victoria
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
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

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

Focus Group: Volunteering in Emergencies

This webinar explores cultural sensitivity and awareness, including unconscious bias and its impact. Learn how to recognise and manage bias, build inclusive practices and improve communication when working with diverse communities.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Growth Pathways: Strategic Volunteer Training and Development

This webinar explores how to design a strategic, needs‑based approach to volunteer training and development. Learn how to identify skill gaps, deliver timely training and support volunteer growth to improve retention and program impact.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Future-Ready Volunteering Workshop

These workshops create space for local conversation, shared learning & connection that online sessions can’t match. You’ll unpack what the findings mean for your organisation, test ideas with peers, and leave with practical approaches to use straight away
Volunteering Victoria
Free