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

Research and Reports
1 minute read

Volunteering and psychological contract

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

Introduction

This document delves into the crucial role of managing volunteers within organisations. It introduces the concept of the psychological contract, which represents the unspoken expectations between volunteers and organisations. This concept is key to fostering a positive relationship where both parties' needs are met.

The Importance of Alignment

The text underscores the necessity of aligning volunteers' expectations with the support organisations provide. Recognising and understanding what motivates volunteers, alongside strategic recruitment and the importance of demographic factors, are highlighted as essential for a productive volunteer experience.

Enhancing Volunteer Retention

The document discusses how breaches in the psychological contract can affect volunteers' willingness to continue their efforts and the significance of organisational support in retaining them. It suggests that investing in volunteer management, through careful planning, recruitment, orientation, and tailored recognition, can bolster volunteer retention.

Benefits for Organisations

For volunteer organisations and management practitioners, this document offers valuable insights into improving volunteer engagement and retention. By focusing on the psychological contract and ensuring volunteers' needs and expectations are met, organisations can create a more supportive and effective volunteering environment. This approach not only benefits the volunteers but also enhances the organisation's ability to fulfil its vision and work more efficiently.

Hager, Mark & Renfro, Kathy. (2020). Volunteer Management and the Psychological Contract. 10.4324/9781315181011-22.


Downloads and sources

More about the authors



Contribute to the Gateway


More like this

Articles & Reports

Youth Leading Youth: A Look at Organisations Led by Young People

The report, based on the 'Youth Leading Youth' research project by Volunteering Qld, highlights the importance of culture, engagement strategies, and leadership in youth-led organisations. It offers practical recommendations for attracting, retaining, and motivating young volunteers.
1 minute read
Volunteering Queensland
Youth or Student, General
Articles & Reports

Staff vs Intern vs Volunteer

This article clarifies the distinctions between volunteering, internships, and placements.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, The Centre for Volunteering, Fair Work Australia
General
e-learning

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 Knowledge Base, The Centre for Volunteering
General
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
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
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
scheduled

Volunteer Leadership Network Meeting

Join like-minded professionals from across the volunteering ecosystem to share opportunities, challenges and insights. The meeting will feature knowledgeable guest speakers, examples of best practice volunteer leadership and opportunities for discussions.
Volunteering Queensland
Free
scheduled

National Standards Deep Dive: Standard 8

Take a deep dive into Standard 8 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Seeing Beyond your Cultural Lens

Facilitated by Tania Harris from the Health Consumers' Council, this workshop is an opportunity for self-reflection and learning in an environment that is safe & supportive. In this session you will explore the concept of cultural lens & its impact on perceptions, attitudes & behaviours & more.
Volunteering WA
This online learning is free to Western Australian volunteer involving organisations thanks to funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.