In this inspiring episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson celebrates International Volunteer Managers Day with special guest Nicole Smith, Executive Director of Alive. Together, they dive into this year’s powerful theme — “Be Bold and Make Change.” 

Nicole brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation, sharing what it really takes to lead boldly in today’s volunteer management landscape. From strategic advocacy and clear communication to accountability and continuous improvement, she offers practical wisdom for leaders who want to make a lasting impact. 

Tobi and Nicole also get real about common challenges like imposter syndrome, the importance of self-care, and how to manage upward effectively within organizations. 

Full show notes: 187. Bold Leadership – Celebrating IVMDay with Nicole Smith 

IVMDay - Episode Highlights 

• [00:29] - Celebrating International Volunteer Managers Day 
• [02:32] - The Importance of Bold Leadership 
• [06:42] - Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Volunteerism 
• [14:47] - Nicole's Journey into Volunteer Management 
• [23:56] - Calculated Risks and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 
• [32:14] - Reflecting on Past Achievements 
• [36:20] - Managing Upward and Advocating for Volunteers 
• [41:35] - Skills for Bold Leadership 
• [46:44] - The Importance of Strategic Planning 
• [52:53] - Delegation and Self-Reflection 

Helpful Links 

• VisionWeek 2026 
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #136: Getting Back to Neighboring with Breauna Dorelus  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #101: Tap the Power of Psychological Contracts with Pam Kappelides 
• Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection Book 
• Leadership and Self-Deception: The Secret to Transforming Relationships and Unleashing Results, 4th Edition Book  
• Points of Light Making Purpose Possible Initiative  
• Global International Volunteer Managers Day Site  
• ALIVE International Volunteer Managers Day Page (with playlist!) 
• AL!VE National Summit on Volunteer Engagement 
• Find Nicole on LinkedIn  

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down one of the biggest pitfalls in volunteer planning: confusing strategy with tactics. She explains why a plan that’s just a long list of tasks will never move your mission forward and what to do instead. 

If you're ready to shift from “busy and reactive” to “focused and strategic,” this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable guidance. Plus, Tobi introduces Vision Week 2026, a hands-on, five-day planning experience designed to help you confidently create your annual volunteer engagement plan with expert support! 

Full show notes: 186. Strategy vs Tactics - How to Include Both in Your Volunteer Planning 

Strategy vs Tactics - Episode Highlights 

• [01:35] - Why Solid Planning Matters 
• [03:10] - Strategy vs. Tactics Defined 
• [06:15] - The Risk of To-Do-List Planning 
• [07:20] - Aligning Volunteer Engagement with Organizational Goals 
• [12:20] - Real-World Example #1: Improving Program Outcomes 
• [15:45] - Real-World Example #2: Growing the Volunteer Base 
• [18:40] - Real-World Example #3: Boosting Staff Buy-In 
• [22:10] - What Strategic Volunteer Engagement Really Means 
• [24:00] - Why People Avoid Planning 

Helpful Links 

• VisionWeek 2026 
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #134: 8 Annual Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #82: Nonprofit Strategic Planning for 2024 in 3 Simple Steps 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into the 7 common rookie mistakes non-profits make when managing volunteers and shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers reduce stress and rediscover the joy in their work. 

Tobi highlights the power of maintaining a positive mindset, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on community-building over paperwork. She also shares actionable tips for creating effective systems for delegation, engaging episodic volunteers for long-term impact, and prioritizing warm, relationship-driven recruitment strategies. 

Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer manager or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to make volunteer management more effective and more enjoyable. 

Full show notes: 177. Manage Volunteers Like a Pro: 7 Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 

Manage Volunteers - Episode Highlights 

• [03:45] - Rookie Mistake #1: Not Minding Your Mindset 
• [07:53] - Rookie Mistake #2: The Department of One Mentality 
• [13:00] - Rookie Mistake #3: Choosing Paperwork Over People 
• [16:39] - Rookie Mistake #4: Not Building a Community Before Asking for Volunteers 
• [22:41] - Rookie Mistake #5: Not Setting Clear Boundaries 
• [26:39] - Rookie Mistake #6: Focusing on Cold vs. Warm Recruitment 
• [28:27] - Rookie Mistake #7: Not Building and Documenting Clear Systems 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Management Fundamentals Live! 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #003: Moving From a Scarcity Mindset to Abundance 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #164: Moving from Volunteer Compliance to Building Your Nonprofit Community 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #002: How to Recruit Volunteers by Building a Following First 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #126: 8 Ways to Empower, Not Rescue Nonprofit Employees & Volunteers 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #86: Converting Episodic Volunteers into Long-term Supporters 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #046: Save Time with Better Volunteer Management Systems  
• ChatGPT (great for developing volunteer policies and procedures) 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi  reviews the history and impact of the Volunteer Management Progress Report, a global state-of-the-industry survey spanning 9 years and encompassing insights from leaders of volunteers across 36 countries.

She delves into key trends from past reports, the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion planning, correlations between resources and capacity,  the increasing tech-maturity of multi-generational volunteer managers, and more. Listeners are also encouraged to participate in the 2024 survey as we explore the ever-evolving landscape of volunteer management and the vital role it plays in organizations worldwide.

Full show notes:  087. Volunteer Research: Sector Trends & Our Latest Survey 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, host Tobi Johnson talks about the challenge of retaining episodic volunteers who step up to help during the holiday season but often disappear afterwards. Tobi shares a 4-part culture of commitment formula that sets the stage for deeper levels of commitment, discusses the importance of creating a purposeful onboarding plan even for one-time volunteers, and gives strategies for delegating, leading with ease, and using storytelling to share volunteer results.

Tobi also delves into the concept of journey mapping, exploring the volunteer experience from start to finish, and poses insightful questions to help you assess and improve your volunteer strategy. Join us for an insightful discussion on how to keep episodic volunteers engaged and turn them into long-term supporters.

Full show notes:  86. Converting Episodic Volunteers into Long-term Supporters

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this Volunteer Nation host, Tobi Johnson, dives deep into the art of goal-setting. She shares practical tips and real-life examples to inspire and guide you in establishing meaningful and impactful volunteer goals for your charitable cause, membership, or movement.

The episode is a must-listen, even if you didn't attend our recent VisionWeek strategic planning bootcamp event. Remember, it's never too late to set meaningful goals for the year ahead. Regardless of whether you participated in VisionWeek or not, the insights shared in this podcast episode can provide valuable guidance and inspiration as you chart a course for volunteer success in 2024.

Full show notes:  85. BIG Volunteer Goals for 2024 – Four Examples

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Our host, Tobi, is joined by the incredible Advita Patel, an expert in internal communications and inclusive workplaces. Together, they discuss the challenges faced by the voluntary sector when it comes to building an inclusive culture and volunteer environment and unravel strategies to overcome them. From understanding knowledge gaps to fostering belonging and diversity, Tobi and Advita provide valuable insights and actionable advice for leaders and organizations looking to revolutionize their communication and create cultures of inclusion. 

If you're interested in revolutionizing your organization's communication, promoting belonging, and thriving in the workplace, Advita's business, Comms Rebel, can provide valuable insights. She is also the co-founder of A Leader Like Me, empowering underrepresented women and building their confidence in the workplace.Get ready for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation that will help you build an inclusive culture at your volunteer organization.

Full show notes:  84. Building an Inclusive Culture at Your Volunteer Organization with Advita Patel

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi and guest Alyson Gallaher dive into the world of corporate-nonprofit collaborations. They shed light on the changing dynamics of corporate partnerships, emphasizing the importance of understanding community needs and advocating for change. They discuss the significance of demonstrating impact, preparing for successful partnerships, and building lasting relationships with corporate partners for mutual benefit. Tune in as they share practical insights, discuss the value of effective volunteer experiences, and provide tips for engaging volunteers and corporate networking. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, a corporate professional, or a volunteer enthusiast, this episode will provide valuable strategies for creating impactful collaborations and maximizing the benefits for both parties involved.

Full show notes: 83. Make the Most of Corporate Partnerships with Alyson Gallaher

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

The new year brings fresh possibilities and a clean slate - what will you do with it?  Not sure? In this episode, Tobi shares how to create a vision for the future, backed up by clear blueprint for success with her signature READY, SET, GOTM nonprofit strategic planning process. 

She also invites listeners to ditch uncertainty and build a plan to create a clear path to the goals you seek by joining us for VisionWeek 2024 - November 13-17, 2023. You'll learn our streamlined process for creating a plan to engage volunteers in 2024 in just 5 days. She will walk you through this process in detail and  you'll have time and space to network with others who are also planning their best year ever.

Full show notes: 82. Nonprofit Strategic Planning for 2024 in 3 Simple Steps

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, sits down with Kivi Leroux Miller, an expert in nonprofit marketing to discuss  the importance of collaboration between volunteer services and nonprofit marketers, offering practical insights and tactics for fostering effective partnerships. Tobi emphasizes the crucial role of marketing in volunteer recruitment and highlights the need for collaboration between these two essential teams.

Full show notes: 81. How Vol Services & Nonprofit Marketers Can Work Together with Kivi Leroux Miller

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi provides you with an exclusive sneak peek into the key concepts and insights shared in her upcoming book for volunteer leaders. Tobi shares her personal journey and insights from years of experience in the field. The book explores the vital role volunteer leaders play in building thriving communities and the significance of their contributions to society.
Full show notes: 080. A Sneak Peek of My New Book for Volunteer Leaders

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson dives deep into the world of nonprofit SEO and how it can revolutionize your volunteer recruitment efforts. SEO might sound like a foreign concept, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring that your organization can be easily found by potential volunteers on the world's most popular search engine – Google.
Full show notes: 079. Nonprofit SEO: How to Get Found on Google

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi sits down with Tyler Manley, an expert in skills-based volunteering from Catchafire, to delve into the topic of finding skills-based volunteers the easy way. They discuss the power and value of skills-based volunteers, as well as the resistance organizations often face when trying to engage this type of volunteer.
Full show notes: 078. Finding Skills-Based Volunteers the Easy Way with Tyler Manley

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the importance of strategic volunteer appreciation. Moving beyond traditional gifts and certificates, she explores how to recognize and value volunteers in ways that are meaningful and aligned with core human needs and organizational goals.  

Tobi provides 12 innovative appreciation ideas categorized into meeting volunteer needs for safety, connection, and purpose, and aligning with organizational goals such as program quality, DEIJ, and donor engagement. You'll learn how to create impactful and heartfelt recognition that sustains both volunteers and the mission of their organizations! 

Full show notes: 176. Beyond Pizza Parties: Innovative Appreciation Ideas for Volunteers 

Appreciation Ideas for Volunteers - Episode Highlights 

• [02:00] - Why Recognition Must Go Beyond Trinkets 
• [06:00] - Aligning recognition with Organizational Goals
• [14:10] - Aligning Appreciation with Organizational Goals 
• [15:00] - Mission Awareness: Mission Ambassador Awards 
• [16:00] - Recognition as a Change Management Strategy 
• [17:00] - Program Quality Champions: Rewarding Volunteer-driven Improvements 
• [18:00] - DEIJ Leadership Spotlights: Inclusivity & Serving Diverse Communities 
• [19:00] - Growth Catalysts: Celebrating Expansion & Innovation 
• [20:00] - Data Heroes: Connecting Volunteer Data to Grants, Funding, and Impact 
• [23:00] - Why Random Giveaways and Trinkets Don’t Work 
• [24:30 - The Bottom Line: Strategic, Meaningful Recognition 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #024: The Best Volunteer Recognition is a Well-Run Program 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #169: How to Meet 3 Core Volunteer Needs Right from the Start 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode,  Tobi has a fascinating discussion on engaging communities in social change with Vichi Jagannathan. Vichi shares her personal journey and experiences in working towards social change in rural communities, specifically in eastern North Carolina.
Full show notes: 077. Engaging Communities in Social Change with Vichi Jagannathan

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Sandy Rees, CEO of Get Fully Funded, about innovative strategies for fundraising success. Sandy Rees is Founder and Chief Encouragement Officer of Get Fully Funded, an organization that shows small nonprofits how to raise the money they need to fully fund their budget. She makes fundraising easy, showing people practical, proven strategies along with the inspiration they need to be wildly successful.

Full show notes: 076. Flipping the Script on Nonprofit Fundraising with Sandy Rees

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Tobi sits down with Julia Campbell, a seasoned expert in nonprofit marketing and communications. Together, they explore proven strategies for attracting and engaging volunteers through the power of social media.Julia shares her valuable insights gained from her experience as a fundraiser and her work helping organizations reach their volunteer recruitment goals. From framing opportunities in a positive and enthusiastic way to leveraging top-of-funnel marketing activities on social media, Julia unpacks practical techniques for success.

Full show notes: 075. How to Recruit Volunteers Using Social Media with Julia Campbell

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi delve into the crucial topic of volunteer retention. As the pandemic has left many feeling tired and exhausted, people have become more selective in how they spend their time. They are searching for meaningful experiences that align with their priorities. So, how can organizations create volunteer opportunities that are resilient, healthy, and purposeful?

Full show notes: 073. Secrets to Retaining Volunteers Revealed

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi  deep into the world of sports and extract valuable lessons that nonprofit leaders can apply to their organizations. Just like the US Women’s World Cup team, we explore the importance of team spirit and how it translates to success in both soccer and our nonprofit endeavors.

Full show notes: 073. Vital Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders from Women's World Cup

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi talks about the common mistakes organizations make when conducting volunteer surveys. Drawing from years of experience and the success of their own surveys, Tobi provides practical tips to help obtain valuable and actionable information from their volunteers.  Surveys are a powerful tool for gathering feedback and insights from your volunteers.

Full show notes: 072. Volunteer Surveys - Are You Making These Mistakes?

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi explores the fascinating world of partnering with funders to support volunteer engagement. We will learn about the critical role of capacity building for nonprofits, the importance of aligning strategic goals with volunteer roles, and the need for improved communication, marketing, recruitment, and volunteer experience to meet the expectations of today's selective volunteers.  We have an engaging conversation with experts and today's guests are Jane Leighty and Betsy McFarland.

Full show notes: 071. Partnering with Funders to Support Volunteer Engagement with Jane Justis & Betsy McFarland

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi dives into the essential strategies and techniques to effectively structure and manage your volunteer program, even with limited resources. Whether you're a nonprofit executive, volunteer coordinator, or volunteer services director, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you navigate the challenges of organizing and optimizing your volunteer services.

Full show notes: 070. How to Organize a Volunteer Services Department of One

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi explore the question that lies at the heart of it all: "Why are volunteers important?" We'll delve into the crucial role volunteers play in the success and sustainability of nonprofits, how they bring invaluable support and expertise, and why they are essential for fulfilling missions and making a true impact on society.

Full show notes: 069. Why Are Volunteers Important ... or Are They?

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi dives into the art of volunteer matching and how it can transform the volunteer experience. We know how important it is for organizations to ensure that volunteers are a perfect fit in terms of mission, values, and organizational culture. 

Matching volunteers goes beyond simply filling shifts; it's about finding where they will flourish, harnessing their skills and interests, and aligning them with the organization's mission and values. Matching volunteers to the right roles not only brings them joy and fulfillment but also maximizes their impact.

Full show notes: 068. Match Volunteers for Joy & Purpose

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into why it’s time to move beyond traditional volunteer metrics like hours logged and retention rates. She unpacks the difference between outputs and outcomes, sharing practical examples and actionable strategies for measuring and showcasing the true impact volunteers have on communities and organizations.  

Tobi explains how tracking outcomes can inspire volunteers, improve program quality, strengthen recruitment messaging, guide strategic decisions, and demonstrate real value to stakeholders. You’ll also learn how to create visual graphics to communicate these outcomes! 

Full show notes: 175. Outputs vs Outcomes: Why Counting Hours Isn’t Enough 

Outputs vs Outcomes - Episode Highlights 

• [02:47] - Proving Volunteer Impact 
• [03:37] - Key Metrics to Track 
• [06:14] - The Importance of Outcome Metrics 
• [09:41] - Communicating Impact Effectively 
• [13:58] - Why Volunteer Outcomes Matter 
• [13:58] - Why Volunteer Outcomes Are Essential 
• [18:36] - Communicating Volunteer Impact 
• [22:24] - Improving Program Quality with Outcomes 
• [25:40] - Strengthening Recruitment Messaging 
• [28:42] - Supporting Strategic Decision Making 
• [31:53] - Creating Visual Impact Graphics 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #135: How to Use Video Storytelling to Connect with Aaron Walton and Emmanuel LeGrair  

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode,  Tobi dives into the topic of setting up a new volunteer coordinator for success. With the challenges of engaging busy individuals who have stopped volunteering due to the pandemic, it is crucial for volunteer coordinators to focus on building relationships, recruiting new volunteers, and engaging with the community.

Full show notes: 067. How to Set Up a New Volunteer Coordinator for Success

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi interviews Lynn Margherio about the importance of partnering with corporate employee volunteer programs and how this collaboration can benefit nonprofits in terms of impact and engagement. Skilled volunteers can bring immense talent, expertise, and financial support to nonprofits. However, many nonprofits are hesitant to connect with employee volunteer programs.
Full show notes: 066. Partnering with Corporate Employee Volunteer Programs with Lynn Margherio

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, we continue to explore strategies to improve volunteer retention and satisfaction, we’re excited to dive deeper into the power of email as a communication tool. While face-to-face interactions are preferred, we understand that sometimes it’s not always possible to have that personal touch. That’s where technology, specifically email, comes in.

Full show notes: 065. Using Email to Improve Volunteer Retention – Part 2

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi dives into the world of communication strategies and explore how leveraging email can significantly improve volunteer retention. But before we get into the details, let's take a moment to understand why email remains a vital tool in today's ever-changing digital landscape.

Email offers a unique solution, allowing you to own your list of subscribers and ensuring direct communication with your volunteers. In part one of this two-part episode, we delve into the advantages of email over social media, debunk common concerns, and discuss the benefits of targeted messaging.

Full show notes: 064. Using Email to Improve Volunteer Retention – Part 1

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode, Tobi had an insightful conversation with Rishma Walji on how to make better decisions. Knowing who you are, how you want to show up, and what's essential to you, is crucial in maintaining boundaries, preventing people from taking advantage of you, and ultimately making better decisions.
Rishma Walji is trained as a Naturopathic Doctor and PhD. She spent over 20 years in clinical practice helping patients make big decisions about health, hormones and family. She's currently writing a book about intentional decision making. A lot of her work is related to awareness and emotion that can either guide or mislead our life choices. She is host of the XO Conversations Podcast and a TEDx speaker.
Full show notes: 063. How to Make Better Decisions with Rishma Walji

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Volunteering is an activity that brings communities together and allows people to give back in a meaningful way. However, not all volunteer experiences are created equal. To truly make an impact, organizations must focus on creating exceptional volunteer experiences that not only benefit the organization, but also empower and motivate the volunteers.

In today's episode, Tobi discusses different strategies and ideas for improving the volunteer experience. From creating a culture of learning to valuing volunteers' lived experiences, the podcast covers a wide range of topics related to successful volunteerism.

Full show notes: 062. 10 Ways to Create an Exceptional Volunteer Experience

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today's episode, Tobi discusses about training for nonprofits and how we've got it all wrong. When we do launches and promotions at VolunteerPro, we ask our audience of followers why they didn't buy. We want to know what are the barriers that our community of leaders of volunteers and volunteer driven organizations are coming up against when it comes to enrolling in something that can help them get traction and gain better results. The top four reasons on the recent result broke our hearts.
Full show notes: 061. Training for Nonprofits - How We've Got it All Wrong

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today’s episode, Tobi interviews Sara Lomelin who is an expert in Giving Circles and collective philanthropy. Here at VolunteerPro, we’re also very interested in doing that when it comes to community engagement, volunteer talent, and thinking about new ways we can engage the community in our missions, which is the most important thing right now.

Full show notes: 060– Giving Circles and Collective Philanthropy with Sara Lomelin

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today's episode, Tobi talks about how to improve your recruiting volunteers on your website. Tobi worked with many coaching clients around their volunteer recruitment strategies, and she have taken a look at many websites. So today, she's going to share all that information down to some of the most common things she saw that are missing and how can you make these changes on your website. 

Volunteer recruitment letters are considered old school, and the website is the most vital asset for volunteer recruitment.  Hear from Tobi how she emphasizes the importance of making improvements to the user experience of the website, making volunteering opportunities front and center and how to do it.

Full show notes: 059– 6 Must Have Strategies to Recruit Volunteers Using Your Website

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today's episode, Tobi interviews Lucas Meijs about innovative models in volunteerism research. Lucas has been writing about and researching volunteerism for three decades. The discussion revolves around the idea that articles about volunteerism often miss some of the key things and build up a certain model of thinking about volunteers and volunteerism. The focus is usually on volunteers themselves, but sometimes it is the models and ways of connecting with the community that need to be upgraded, evolved, and changed. They also touches on the impact of the pandemic on volunteer engagement and the need to find new ways of doing things.
Full show notes: 058– Innovative Models in Volunteerism Research with Lucas Meijs

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares expert tips on how to craft volunteer emails that truly connect and convert. From attention-grabbing subject lines to warm, welcoming salutations and easy-to-read content, Tobi breaks down the key elements that make emails more engaging and effective. 

You’ll learn why personalization matters, how to structure your emails for maximum impact, and the small details, like a creative sign-off or a compelling P.S. that can make a big difference. Plus, Tobi offers practical strategies like A/B testing your subject lines, using email tools for smarter communication, and ditching the dull bureaucratic tone that turns readers off. 

Whether you're trying to recruit new volunteers or keep your current team engaged, this episode will help you write emails that get opened, read, and acted on. 

Full show notes: 174. Write Volunteer Emails Volunteers Actually Read (and Love) 

Volunteer Emails - Episode Highlights 

• [01:00] - The Importance of Volunteer Emails 
• [02:53] - Crafting Effective Subject Lines 
• [06:29] - Creating Friendly Salutations 
• [08:13] - Writing Readable Body Copy 
• [15:20] - Creative Closings and the Power of PS 

Helpful Links  

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #173 - Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away?  
• Subject Line Checker 
• Use AI to Improve Emails 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today's episode, Tobi features Dacher Keltner and discusses the compassionate instinct, bringing wonder and awe back into our lives, and becoming more resilient.

Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley and the faculty director of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. He is a renowned expert in the science of human emotion, studying compassion and awe, how we express emotion, and how emotions guide our moral identities and search for meaning. His research interests also span the issues of power. He has written a new book on awe and has a podcast called "Science of Happiness" that offers practices for how to feel stronger, even when doing hard work like volunteering.

Full show notes: 057– The Compassionate Instinct & Bringing Wonder Back to Work with Dacher Keltner

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today's episode, Tobi interviews Dr. Elisabeth Clemens from University of Chicago who is an expert in how volunteerism sits and civic society sits in building our nation here in America. 

Dr. Elisabeth is the William Rainey Harper Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. Her recent awards-winning book, Civic Gifts: Voluntarism and the Making of the American Nation-State (Chicago 2020), traces the tense but powerful entanglements of benevolence and liberalism in American political development. 

Full show notes: 056– The Role of Voluntarism & Volunteerism in America with Elisabeth Clemens

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Today's episode, we are talking with Faiza Venzant on how to get your Certified in Volunteer Administration credential.

Faiza Venzant, CVA is the Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration. With over 20 years of leadership experience in volunteer engagement, she continues this work with a goal of centering community amongst the profession, improving equity and access to volunteerism and increasing diversity amongst professional leaders of volunteers.   

Faiza discusses why it is important for volunteer leaders needs to get CVA credential and how it will help not only the current organization they belong to but also as an investment in yourself and in your career as a professional.

Full show notes: 055– How to Get Your CVA Credential with Faiza Venzant

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Today's episode, we're going to talk about National Volunteer Week 2023. Our theme is a year to be grateful. A year to be grateful, and Tobi shares some of the things she's grateful for.

Gratitude is a mindful practice that encourages us to take an abundant view of the world. In the nonprofit sector, it is quite easy to adopt a scarcity mindset and believe that there isn't enough to go around. But when we start to really think about it, there's plenty to go around. There are lots of people out there that wish to support the success of your mission. You just have to establish a connection with them.

Full show notes: 054– National Volunteer Week 2023 - A Year to Be Grateful

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In today's episode, we are going to be talking with Marianne Chance about promoting a healthy workplace culture for volunteers, not only for volunteers, but in our nonprofits in general.

Marianne Chance is the the founder of Work Warrior and she is described as a brilliant, hilarious, awesome sauce and so engaging, you'll forget to eat your snacks. Marianne has trained over 20,000 people in nearly every state and all over the world.  She's recognized as one of the top trainers in America, and in 2013 she started Work Warrior, a training organization that provides manager and team trainings to companies across all states. Marianne provides professional coaching, utilization of certifications and business and entrepreneurship, spirituality, life purpose, and forgiveness. 

Marian discusses her thoughts on how leaders of volunteers in nonprofit organizations may foster a healthy work environment for volunteers and paid staff alike, as well as how to inspire everyone to bring their best selves to the purpose.

Full show notes: 053– Promoting a Healthy Workplace Culture for Volunteers with Marianne Chance

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

We are pleased to discuss and bring to our audience a new research report from my friends at VolunteerMatch and how we connect hopeful and helpful data from today’s volunteers. In today’s episode, we have Darcy Hughes and Jennifer Bennett. 

Jennifer is the Director of Education & Training joined VolunteerMatch to formalize and manage the organization’s volunteer engagement program. With her breadth of experience, she is well qualified to help VolunteerMatch’s community of nonprofits better recruit and engage volunteers.  

Darcy is the Content & Storytelling Manager, responsible for newsletters for nonprofits and volunteers, conducting surveys, execute marketing and sponsorship campaigns, and their social media, basically all external communications to broader audiences.

We discussed what does their recent research tell us about where volunteers are at as we come out of  nearly three years of a pandemic, some of the key takeaways and what does it tell us about where volunteers are at right now.

Full show notes: 052– New Volunteer Research with Jennifer Bennett and Darcy Hughes of VolunteerMatch

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

April, which is worldwide volunteer month, is set to start. I wanted to take some time to reflect on the significance of volunteering.

And I want to go way beyond the fluff. We all talk about, we're all getting together, we're working in community, we're helping our nonprofits meet their mission. These are all important things, but there is so much more power and volunteerism out there that I believe we don't often recognize, especially those of us who work in the field on a daily basis.

We usually don't give it much thought because we don't have the time. So, in this episode, I'd like to discuss ten reasons why volunteering is important.

Full show notes: 051– 10 Reasons Why Volunteerism is Important (Way Beyond the Fluff!)

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In our 50th Volunteer Nation episode, Tobi talks about how to use volunteer quotes to inspire leadership and resilience. These are the volunteer quotes we usually see in newsletter, in social media, et cetera. They're usually a little bit cliché or they've just been used overused, and they start to lose their meaning.

 Tobi also what shares some of the quotes she shared with her team on her Post-It mantra. She's going to talk about what's behind them and how you can use volunteer quotes in different ways to create themes and as inspiration for larger gratitude or recognition or kudos speech.
 
Full show notes: 050 – How to Use Volunteer Quotes to Inspire Leadership & Resilience

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this week’s episode, Tobi offers a peek behind the curtain at the process of developing new VolunteerPro curriculum – in this case, for our newly updated VolunteerPro Membership learning hub!

She’s also sharing some of her key takeaways when it comes to developing online learning that will be enormously helpful to anyone tasked with developing new training for volunteers or coworkers.

Full show notes: 049-Behind the Scenes at Our VolunteerPro Membership Makeover! - Tobi Johnson & Associates

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this week’s episode, we welcome guest Dr. Mary Hyde from AmeriCorps to share some fascinating results from the most recent Volunteer Engagement and Civic Life census supplement.  

These results shine a light on both the enduring spirit of volunteerism in America – even during the height of the pandemic – and what the data can tell us about future trends in formal and informal volunteering.  

The latest Volunteering and Civic Engagement in America survey was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, and while the results showed an expected drop in formal volunteering (giving time freely to help others through an organization), there was actually no drop in informal volunteering (giving time freely to help others outside of an organizational context) nationwide. 

These results contradict the pervasive sense that “people just don’t want to volunteer anymore.” Rather, it highlights the ongoing desire of individuals to serve their neighbors and communities in personally meaningful ways, without necessarily feeling the need to do so within the structure of a formal organization. 

Full show notes: 048-New Statistics on Volunteering & Civic Life with Dr Mary Hyde - Tobi Johnson & Associates

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares valuable insights on how nonprofits can improve volunteer websites to attract and engage more volunteers effectively. Addressing common issues such as unclear value propositions, excessive choice options, stock imagery, and poor mobile experiences, Tobi discusses practical strategies to create a compelling and user-friendly volunteer hub.   

She emphasizes the importance of clear calls to action, authentic visuals, social proof, and urgency to convert visitors into active volunteers. With actionable tips and a focus on modern user behavior, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide to optimizing nonprofit websites for better volunteer recruitment! 

Full show notes: 173. Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away? 

Volunteer Website - Episode Highlights 

• [01:04] - The Importance of Volunteer Websites 
• [02:42] - Adapting to Modern Content Consumption 
• [04:33] - Creating Effective Volunteer Hub Pages 
• [09:14] - Common Issues with Volunteer Websites 
• [15:52] - Improving Volunteer Website Conversions 
• [26:21] - Social Proof and Trust Signals 
• [28:59] - Creating Urgency and Clear Navigation 
• [34:13] - Ensuring a Good User Experience 
• [39:41] - Final Tips 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Google Analytics 
• Hotjar 
• ScoreApp 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #5: 8 Ways Your Nonprofit Website is Failing to Attract Volunteers  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #59 – 6 Must Have Strategies to Recruit Volunteers Using Your Website 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #20: How to Design Irresistible Online Volunteer Opportunities 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this week’s episode, we welcome guests Dr. Sue Carter Kahl and Dr. Nathan Dietz to discuss two fascinating new studies on the state of volunteer engagement.

These reports offer the unique perspectives and feedback of nonprofit CEOs and funders and it is enlightening to view the value of volunteer service through their eyes, especially as it relates to program funding.

Full show notes: 047-The State of Volunteer Engagement with Dr. Sue Kahl and Dr. Nathan Dietz - Tobi Johnson & Associates

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Soccer is all about moving the ball down the field as efficiently as possible and making a goal before your opponent has a chance to catch up. And if you’ve watched one particular Premier League team this year (looking at you, Chelsea!), you’ve seen them lose many opportunities to score because they hesitate and take one too many steps before taking a shot on goal (and if you’re nearby, you may have heard Tobi yelling at the television!).

Volunteers can often, unintentionally, get stuck by those same feelings of hesitation. They know they need to move toward the goal, but they’re not entirely sure of the steps to get there. So, they dribble the ball, stalling, waiting for clearer instruction on their next move from the coach or their teammates.

This is where clear volunteer management systems come into play. These procedures are the playbook by which volunteers can know, and quickly act on, the next right step to accomplish the goals that your organization has established.

Full show notes: 046-Save Time with Better Volunteer Management Systems - Tobi Johnson & Associates

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

What do volunteers experience while serving at your organization? Why do volunteers want to stay? And why do some volunteers decide to leave?  

In this episode, Tobi offers a closer look at how to design a more purposeful user experience for every step of your potential volunteer’s journey, and how to build a smarter volunteer retention strategy with intention and information. 

Full show notes: 045-Build a Smarter Volunteer Retention Strategy - Tobi Johnson & Associates

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.