Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Research and Reports
1 minute read

The Relationship Between Leadership Behaviors and Volunteer Commitment: The Role of Volunteer Satisfaction

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

This document summarises research on the dynamics of leadership, job satisfaction, and commitment within volunteer organisations. It delves into how leadership styles, organisational culture, and volunteer motivation impact satisfaction and retention. The studies underscore the importance of empowerment, organisational learning, and specific leadership behaviours in enhancing volunteer engagement and commitment.

Benefits for Volunteer Organisations

For volunteer organisations and management practitioners, this document offers valuable insights into fostering a positive environment for volunteers. It highlights:

Leadership that focuses on enabling learning and innovation boosts volunteer satisfaction, which in turn, enhances their commitment to the organisation.

Encouraging a culture of learning and innovation among volunteers not only increases their satisfaction but also their affective commitment, leading to better organisational performance.

Understanding the mediating role of volunteer satisfaction between leadership behaviours and volunteer commitment can help organisations tailor their management practices to retain volunteers effectively.

Application

This document serves as a crucial resource for volunteer organisations aiming to improve volunteer engagement and well-being, ultimately contributing to sustained volunteerism and organisational success.

Benevene Paula , Buonomo Ilaria , West Michael. The Relationship Between Leadership Behaviors and Volunteer Commitment: The Role of Volunteer Satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, VOL 11, 2020 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.602466 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.602466, ISSN: 1664-1078

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

Position Paper

Universal Declaration on Volunteering

The Universal Declaration on Volunteering, adopted by the International Association for Volunteer Effort, underscores the critical role of volunteering in fostering a more humane and just society.
1 minute read
International Association for Volunteer Effort
General
Resources

Volunteer Management Handbook

The Volunteer Management Handbook E-learning Series is a free resource designed to help new, existing and aspiring Volunteer Managers in their role.
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
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

Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness

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

Protecting Mental Health: Psychosocial Hazards in Not-for-profits - June 2026

Learn your not‑for‑profit’s legal duties to manage psychosocial hazards. This webinar explains WHS obligations, how to identify risks like stress and trauma, and practical steps to protect the mental health and safety of staff and volunteers.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
A$49.00
scheduled

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Involving Organisation

This free inclusion workshop explores how to build inclusive volunteering opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds. Learn to identify and reduce barriers, support young people, and create inclusive teams and workplaces.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free