Great work yet again @paulag
I do find it disappointing to have such a low retention rate. There are a number of problems on the platform and engagement/support of new users is one of them.
I've started a mentoring project for one community that I'm involved in. Too early to generate any data from it and still a very small sample, but retention of new users to this community is one of the goals.
My hope was that if the mentoring concept works then it might be adopted in other community groups.
communities are key. From other studies and analysis I have done, it seems if you are not part of a community that support each other via votes, then you are fighting a loosing battle