Institutional Predictors of Volunteer Retention

Abstract

Institutional predictors of volunteer service retention in AmeriCorps*State and National are assessed using data from the quasiexperimental, longitudinal study of AmeriCorps. Multilevel logistic regression is used, with individual member characteristics at the first level and institutional facilitation at the second level (across 107 program sites). Members are more likely to complete their terms of service if the program sites involve members in planning their service activities, match the activities to their career interests, help them develop a relationship with a mentor, and facilitate their reflection on the service experience with others. This study identifies strategies that may promote retention as an intermediate yet fundamental outcome.

Why minors volunteer—A mixed‐method study of motivational factors in underage Generation Z volunteers in Europe

“…While sympathy for youth group leaders may fade over time, particularly in the case of the age groups covered in this study, the findings point to a key role of youth group leaders for motivating young volunteers. This is in line with earlier findings showing that developing a relationship with a “mentor” leverages volunteer participation and facilitates volunteer retention (see McBride & Lee, 2012).…”

Organized Cooperation: a Behavioral Perspective on Volunteerism

“…The same is not the case in other fields. Volunteer management has generated discussions throughout many fields including applied psychology (Boezeman & Ellemers, 2008), consumer psychology (Mowen & Sujan, 2005), organizational psychology (Vantilborgh et al, 2011), social psychology (Clary et al, 1998;Cornelis, Van Hiel, & De Cremer, 2013;McBride & Lee, 2011;Nenga, 2012;Thoits & Hewitt, 2001), economics (Govekar & Govekar, 2002;Lee & Brudney, 2012), marketing (Randle & Dolnicar, 2011;Starnes & Wymer Jr, 2000), as well as what seem to be interdisciplinary fields dealing directly with the study of nonprofits and volunteerism (Farmer & Fedor, 1999;Liao-Troth, 2005;Nichols, 2012;Shye, 2009). Before diving into a new analysis of volunteerism from a behavior analytic perspective, some recognition should be paid to the valuable work done outside the field.…”

Stipends in Volunteer Civic Service: Inclusion, Retention, and Volunteer Benefits

“…These features are purposely included to enhance the volunteer experience and service impacts. A growing body of work is developing to understand the implications of these institutionalized features for service models that are implemented nationwide (Hong et al 2009; McBride and Lee 2009; Morrow‐Howell et al 2001; Morrow‐Howell, Hinterlong, Rozario, and Tang 2003; Morrow‐Howell, Hinterlong, Rozario, Tang, et al 2003; Tang, Morrow‐Howell, and Hong 2009).…”

“…Research on volunteer retention is surprisingly sparse given the costs (Mesch et al 1998; Perry and Thomson 2007). Volunteer retention is measured variously as service duration (hours or weeks served), completion of a term of service, or intention or commitment to serve another year (McBride and Lee 2009). For this study, we define retention as completion of the term of service, though we also examine time commitment by the intensity and duration of the service.…”