Volunteer retention is a primary focus of SNTI's training and management techniques. Retention depends on a number of factors: the quality and thoroughness of the initial training experience, the effectiveness of volunteer management, the degree of personal satisfaction achieved through volunteering, and much more. In order for volunteers to remain active and committed to an organization and its mission, their experience must be a positive one.

Community building is one element of SNTI's retention strategy. An important objective of SNTI methods is the formation of a community of volunteers organized around shared values, committed to the common purpose of serving people in need, and both willing and able to support and assist each other.

Volunteer management that facilitates a shared sense of community encourages mutual psychosocial support that, in turn, enables people to cope with stresses that can arise in providing service, as well as interpersonal or organizational stressors. When empowered to do so, a community of interdependent and like-minded volunteers can be a readily accessible source of peer support, continuing education, and guidance to each other throughout their careers as volunteers.