Episodic Volunteering and Retention
Open Access
- 5 December 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
- Vol. 45 (1), 45-63
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764014558934
Abstract
Episodic volunteers (EVs) are vital for non-profit organization activities. However, theory-based research on episodic volunteering is scant and the determinants of episodic volunteering are not well understood. This study integrates the volunteer process model and three-stage model of volunteers’ duration of service to explore determinants of EV retention. A cross-sectional survey of 340 EVs assessed volunteering antecedents, experiences, and retention. Social/enjoyment (β = .17) and benefit (β = −.15) motives, social norm (β = .20), and satisfaction (β = .56) predicted Novice EV (first experience) retention; satisfaction (β = .47) and commitment (β = .38) predicted Transition EV (2-4 years intermittently) retention; and supporting the organization financially (β = .31), social norm (β = .18), satisfaction (β = .41), and commitment (β = .19) predicted Sustained EV (5-6 years consecutively) retention. Integrated theoretical approaches appear efficacious for understanding EV retention. An Episodic Volunteer Engagement and Retention model is proposed for further testing in prospective work.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- What predicts Australian university students' intentions to volunteer their time for community service?Australian Journal of Psychology, 2013
- Volunteering an OpinionNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 2010
- THE THREE-STAGE MODEL OF VOLUNTEERS' DURATION OF SERVICESocial Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 2007
- Reconsidering the Role of Training in Event Volunteers’ SatisfactionSport Management Review, 2006
- Weakening Organizational Ties? A Classification of Styles of Volunteering in the Flemish Red CrossSocial Service Review, 2005
- MOTIVE, ROLE IDENTITY, AND PROSOCIAL PERSONALITY AS PREDICTORS OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITYSocial Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 2005
- The First Year: Influences on the Satisfaction, Involvement, and Persistence of New Community VolunteersPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2003
- Understanding and assessing the motivations of volunteers: A functional approach.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1998
- Role-Identity SalienceSocial Psychology Quarterly, 1985
- The measurement of organizational commitmentJournal of Vocational Behavior, 1979