Episodic Volunteering and Retention: An Integrated Theoretical Approach

• Published in: Nonprofit and voluntary sector quarterly 2016-02, Vol.45 (1), p.45-63
• Main Authors: Hyde, Melissa K., Dunn, Jeff, Bax, Caitlin, Chambers, Suzanne K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Commitments; Nonprofit organizations; Norms; Quantitative psychology; Retention; Social norms; Social psychology; Studies; Volunteers
• ISSN: 0899-7640; 1552-7395; 0899-7640
• DOI: 10.1177/0899764014558934

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.