Explore every episode of the podcast The VolunteerMatters Podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The VolunteerMatters Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
The Y Changed Our Lives—Now We Help Them Change the World | Ep 22
16 juil. 2025
00:33:18
“The Y is more than a gym and swim — it’s a powerful force for good, driven by dedicated volunteers.”
Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedicated to helping nonprofits build stronger, more impactful volunteer programs.
This episode dives deep into: - Our decade-long partnership with YMCA - How YMCA volunteer programs shaped our platform - Strategies for scaling across 500+ locations - The gold standard in volunteer safety and compliance - Personal stories from growing up at the Y …and more
Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & why the YMCA matters 01:02 - The global scale of YMCA volunteerism 02:20 - From volunteer-run to professionally staffed 04:04 - “More than just a gym and swim” 05:08 - Volunteering as a gateway to the mission 06:00 - Mark’s personal story with the Y 08:10 - Our national partnership with YMCA USA 08:55 - How YMCA needs shaped our product 12:00 - Why flexibility is essential in VMS 13:50 - Empowering part-time admins 16:50 - Industry-leading safety and compliance 19:20 - Praesidium Accreditation: What it is and why it matters 21:00 - Automating onboarding, credentials & workflows 25:00 - Case Study: From 26% to 90% compliance in 2 months 30:40 - A thank-you to the YMCA
Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedicated to helping nonprofits build stronger, more impactful volunteer programs.
This episode dives deep into: - How to turn attention into action - Creating effective volunteer opportunity pages - Tangible strategies for promoting volunteer opportunities - …and more.
Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Why promoting matters 01:22 - The big mistake: Eyeballs vs. Education 03:44 - A great volunteer project description 05:07 - Reducing fear of the unknown 06:20 - Volunteer opportunity catalog 08:53 - Clear calls to action 09:56 - Writing for beginners, not insiders 11:15 - Effective email promotion 15:28 - Use your existing volunteer database first 15:43 - Leveraging social media platforms 18:47 - Follow peer organizations for inspiration 21:10 - Community partners as promotional allies 21:58 - Promoting at in-person events 23:05 - Traditional media 23:19 - Text messaging 25:05 - Summary and recap 27:20 - Email deliverability and compliance
Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedicated to helping nonprofits build stronger, more impactful volunteer programs.
This episode dives deep into: - Why volunteer training directly impacts your mission’s success - How to balance standardization with flexibility - The power of learning management systems (LMS) and other tech tools - How to measure success through completion rates, feedback, retention, and repeat requirements - …and more.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Topic Introduction 01:00 – Why Volunteer Training Matters 01:48 – The Challenges of Scaling Training 02:56 – Maintaining Consistency in Training Content 03:50 – Adapting for Diverse Volunteer Audiences 04:50 – Delivery Methods and Oversight Challenges 05:30 – Principles of Scalable Volunteer Training 08:59 – Leveraging Technology for Training Delivery 10:00 – Assigning Ownership Over Training Content 10:50 – Training the Trainers 12:00 – Learning Management Systems and Online Tools 13:05 – Addressing Concerns Around Online Training 15:00 – Quizzing and Measuring Retention 19:00 – Key Metrics for Evaluating Training Success 21:00 – The Importance of Feedback Loops 23:00 – Recap of Training Best Practices 25:00 – Training Expiration and Recertification 29:00 – Real-World Example (YMCA)
Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedicated to helping nonprofits build stronger, more impactful volunteer programs.
This episode dives deep into: - How to know when you're the bottleneck—and how to fix it - The power of delegation, trust, and empowering your team - How giving up control leads to organizational and mission growth - …and more.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome: The inspiration behind this episode 00:50 – A customer story: When leadership took over 02:23 – Micromanagement: What it is and how it harms your team 04:33 – The ripple effects: morale, time loss, and stalled innovation 05:09 – Scaling your nonprofit starts with trusting your team 07:15 – “80% done is 100% awesome” – why perfection isn’t the goal 08:48 – Staff on the ground are closer to the real problem 10:14 – Everyone has a role—strategic, marketing, HR, fundraising 10:55 – What great leadership actually looks like 12:40 – Leadership self-reflection: Are you holding things back? 13:05 – Delegation creates ownership, joy, and long-term growth 14:05 – Real talk: Letting go is hard, even for us 15:10 – What happens when leadership gets out of the way 15:50 – Don’t micromanage—trust, delegate, empower
Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedicated to helping nonprofits build stronger, more impactful volunteer programs.
This episode dives deep into: - Why retaining volunteers is more cost-effective than recruiting new ones - How poor tracking systems and weak communication can alienate returning volunteers - Actionable strategies to re-engage lapsed volunteers—from personalized outreach to feedback loops - …and more.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Why volunteers stop showing up 00:26 – The ROI of retaining vs. recruiting new volunteers 01:04 – Why volunteer experience quality is foundational 02:16 – Returning volunteers add exponential value over time 03:44 – Many orgs don’t know who’s new vs. returning 05:05 – Why tracking volunteer data is critical 08:03 – Top reasons why volunteers lapse 11:09 – Communication gaps: the root of disengagement 13:03 – What a strong volunteer experience looks like 16:27 – Personalizing outreach to re-engage past volunteers 18:08 – Segmenting volunteers based on activity 19:00 – Fix the reasons they left in the first place 20:01 – Why real-time, iterative feedback matters 22:33 – Volunteer incentives and appreciation events 24:08 – Re-engagement powered by peer volunteers 27:27 – Episode Recap
Sophia interviews Mark, President and Co-Founder of VolunteerMatters, to uncover the inspiring origin story of the company. Mark shares his journey from custom software development to creating an impactful platform dedicated to helping nonprofits engage and manage volunteers effectively.
Key Highlights: • How It All Began • The Evolution of VolunteerMatters • Overcoming Early Challenges • Pivotal Milestones • Vision for the Future
"You measure what you value, and value what you measure. For us, it’s always been about demonstrating the transformative impact of volunteers—not just through anecdotes, but with real, measurable data.” - Mark
Tune in to this inspiring conversation to understand the heart and vision behind VolunteerMatters, and to gain insights into building a purpose-driven organization!
Tracking Volunteer Hours with Confidence | Ep 16
26 mars 2025
00:32:54
Whether you're running a small program or managing thousands of volunteers, knowing how to accurately track hours is a game-changer for funding, program efficiency, and volunteer recognition.
Listen in to learn how tracking volunteer hours can transform your volunteer program into a well-oiled machine that attracts funding, celebrates impact, and builds long-term engagement.
Start optimizing your volunteer program with actionable insights and proven strategies—tune in now!
Barriers, Benefits, and Balance: Volunteers are Not Employees | Ep 15
12 mars 2025
00:29:34
We address HR professionals stepping into the world of volunteer management—an increasingly common trend as seasoned HR leaders transition from for-profit to nonprofit roles. Managing volunteers is an exciting opportunity but comes with its unique challenges and differences from managing paid staff. This episode explores how to approach volunteerism with a fresh perspective and practical strategies for success.
What You’ll Learn: • Understand the key differences between managing employees and volunteers—and why volunteers aren’t unpaid employees. • How to respect volunteers’ time and motivation by streamlining recruitment and onboarding processes. • The importance of front-loading applications, background checks, and training to retain motivated volunteers. • Why creating a smooth and efficient onboarding process leads to higher retention and repeat volunteerism. • Insights into when gatekeeping is necessary—like in high-commitment roles or leadership opportunities—and how to balance selectivity with accessibility.
Whether you’re an HR professional new to volunteerism or a nonprofit leader looking to refine your volunteer management practices, this episode offers valuable guidance to ensure you’re maximizing impact and creating extraordinary volunteer experiences.
Tune in now to redefine how you approach volunteer management and build a stronger, more effective program!
Volunteering in Senior Living Communities | Ep 14
26 févr. 2025
00:13:24
Episode 14 | In this episode, we discuss the incredible impact that volunteer programs can have in senior living communities. From fostering meaningful connections to improving quality of life and even creating pathways for workforce development, they break down four key benefits of volunteerism in these unique environments.
What You’ll Learn: 1. How resident-to-resident volunteering fosters purpose, connection, and longer lives for seniors. 2. Ways family members can deepen relationships through meaningful volunteer activities in senior living communities. 3. The benefits of bringing in external volunteers, like students, to add fresh energy and gain experience. 4. How volunteer programs can serve as a pathway for workforce development in senior care. 5. Practical tips for streamlining volunteer onboarding to attract and retain dedicated volunteers.
Mark and Sophia emphasize the transformative power of fostering a culture of volunteerism in senior living communities. From improving residents’ quality of life to finding future caregivers, volunteer programs benefit everyone involved.
Tune in now to discover how volunteerism can enrich the lives of seniors and create stronger, more connected communities.
Corporate Volunteering: The Win-Win Mindset Every Nonprofit Needs to Know | Ep 13
12 févr. 2025
00:18:50
Tune in with us to explore the multifaceted benefits of corporate volunteering, providing insights into how nonprofit organizations can harness these programs to deepen impact, build stronger partnerships, and secure additional funding.
We discuss the strategic value of engaging corporations in your volunteer initiatives, shifting the perspective of corporate relationships from a one-way transaction to a mutually beneficial partnership.
Key Discussion Points: • The Value of Corporate Volunteering • A Two-Way Transaction • Generational Shifts • Strategic Benefits for Nonprofits • Corporate Support Mechanisms - Matching gifts, volunteer grants (“dollars for doers”), volunteer paid time off (VTO), and sponsored volunteer events. • Best Practices for Corporate Volunteer Programs - Tracking metrics, reporting impact
Whether you're looking to establish corporate volunteering opportunities or take your existing program to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable advice to maximize your impact and create lasting relationships with corporate partners.
Tune in now to learn how corporate volunteering can elevate your mission!
How to Handle Bad Volunteers | Ep 12
29 janv. 2025
00:28:06
Mark and Sophia tackle a tough but necessary topic for nonprofits: dealing with "bad volunteers." They break down what it means to have a "bad" volunteer, distinguishing between "bad actors"—those who may harm the organization—and "bad fits" who may struggle with role alignment, attitude, or skill gaps.
Key Discussion Points:
Understanding "Bad Volunteers": Volunteers can fall into two categories—"bad actors" with harmful intent, and "bad fits" who may not be a good match for their roles.
Preventing Harmful Intentions: For "bad actors," the emphasis is on proactive measures, including background checks, interviews, and reference checks, alongside regular training and policies to maintain a safe volunteer environment.
Addressing Skill and Culture Mismatches: For "bad fit" volunteers, we discuss ways to assess their connection to the mission, evaluate their skill levels, and ensure they align with the organization’s culture.
Redirecting and Retaining Volunteers: Finding alternative roles that align with volunteers' skills and interests can be a way to retain passionate individuals without compromising organizational standards.
Knowing When to Part Ways: We provide guidance on the sensitive topic of "firing" a volunteer, ensuring the approach remains compassionate and constructive.
Whether you're a volunteer coordinator, program manager, or nonprofit leader, this episode offers practical insights and strategies for maintaining a positive and effective volunteer team.
The Difference Between Volunteer Orientation & Training (And Why It Matters) | Ep 11
15 janv. 2025
00:18:39
In this episode, Mark and Sophia clarify the important distinctions between volunteer orientation and training. These two elements often get confused, but each plays a unique role in onboarding, educating, and empowering volunteers.
Key Takeaways:
Defining Orientation vs. Training: Orientation focuses on establishing the volunteer’s relationship with the organization, while training equips volunteers with the specific skills needed to safely and effectively perform their roles.
Types of Training Needs: Compliance-based training is mandatory for high-risk roles, while competency and enrichment training enhances volunteer skills and deepens their understanding of relevant topics.
Choosing Between In-Person and Virtual Training: In-person training is ideal for some situations, virtual training is ideal in other situations – a hybrid approach can often be a great compromise.
Tips for Structuring Orientations and Trainings: Discover tangible strategies for implementing and distinguishing training vs. orientation.
Volunteer Email Communications: How to Engage Volunteers Effectively | Ep 10
01 janv. 2025
00:18:44
Mark and Sophia explore the role of email communication in volunteer management. They discuss why email remains a powerful tool to engage, recruit, and inspire volunteers across different age groups, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers, and share strategies for balancing frequency, personalization, and automation.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Email Preferences by Generation: Adjust your email strategies to match your audience’s preferences and keep them engaged with content that resonates.
Life Cycle of Volunteer Email Communication: From recruitment to event reminders and appreciation, email plays a role at every stage of a volunteer’s journey.
Balancing Frequency and Value: Navigating the “dance” of email frequency, stressing the importance of avoiding communication overload.
Creating Engaging and Effective Email Templates: Personalize emails with specific event or assignment details, reinforce your organization’s mission in each email, and make your content visually cohesive with your brand.
Automation and Template Tips: Automation is crucial for time-saving and operational efficiency, especially for reminders and routine emails.
Empowering Volunteers with Communication Preferences: Giving volunteers control over how frequently they receive emails (or even opting out of certain types) respects their time and reduces unsubscribe rates.
Choosing the Best Training Format for Your Volunteers | Ep 9
18 déc. 2024
00:35:16
Mark and Sophia discuss the essentials of training volunteers effectively. They explore various training types, scheduling methods, and best practices to create confident, well-prepared volunteers who feel valued and connected to your organization.
Key Discussion Points:
The Importance of Training: Why a well-trained volunteer is a confident, successful volunteer, and how organizations can avoid assuming volunteers know more than they do.
Types of Volunteer Training: Virtual Training, In-Person Training, Third-Party Training
Scheduling Training Sessions: How to select the right training format for your needs, from on-demand to scheduled, and considerations for virtual live webinars versus recorded sessions.
Tracking Completion and Expirations: Best practices for documenting training completion, handling repeat requirements, and keeping centralized records for compliance and easy reference.
Tune in to hear pro tips for successful volunteer training!
Document Uploads & Certifications for Volunteers | Ep 8
11 déc. 2024
00:22:52
In this episode, Sophia and Mark tackle a commonly time-intensive aspect of volunteer management: collecting, reviewing, and securely storing volunteer certifications and documentation. They dive into the steps and best practices for handling essential documents like driver’s licenses, insurance proofs, and training certificates.
Key Discussion Points:
The Document Collection Process: Breaking down the process into three essential steps—informing volunteers, gathering the documents, and reviewing them.
Ensuring Secure Submission: Why email isn’t the best option for sensitive documents and recommendations for secure alternatives like encrypted URLs, Dropbox, or the VolunteerMatters platform.
Review and Approval: The importance of reviewing each document for accuracy, ensuring they meet your organization’s requirements, and tracking their status.
Privacy and Security: Best practices for storing volunteer information digitally, including secure cloud storage, data backup, and access restrictions.
Tracking Expirations: Setting expiration dates for time-sensitive documents and automating reminders, so volunteers know when to renew items like driver’s licenses and certifications.
Whether you’re still using paper files or looking to streamline document collection, this episode covers the essentials to keep your volunteer records secure, compliant, and organized.
Simplify Volunteer Onboarding with Digital Agreements | Ep 7
04 déc. 2024
00:37:01
Sophia and Mark dive into an essential topic in all volunteer programs: Volunteer Electronic Agreements. They address the growing importance of volunteer agreements, discuss best practices, and share stories and legal insights gathered from years of industry experience.
Key Discussion Points:
Types of Agreements: Liability waivers, volunteer code of conduct, photo/video releases, social media policies, and other position-specific agreements.
Electronic vs. Paper Agreements: Benefits and challenges of going paperless, including storage, retrieval, and compliance.
Legal Considerations: U.S. federal and state guidelines (E-Sign Act and UETA) and the importance of storing signed agreements securely.
Minors & Parent/Guardian Consents: Special considerations for agreements involving minor volunteers, including the need for parental consent and how these policies vary.
Best Practices for Electronic Agreements: Ensuring clarity, security, validation, and an audit trail for all signed agreements.
The Importance of Compliance: Maintaining accurate records not only ensures safety and clarity but also protects organizations from legal liability.
Tune in for a comprehensive guide to managing volunteer agreements and ensuring your organization is prepared, compliant, and organized.
Volunteer Vetting: When to Background Check Volunteers | Ep 6
27 nov. 2024
00:31:40
We delve into the critical process of conducting background checks for volunteers. Understanding when and how to implement these checks is essential for maintaining a safe and trustworthy environment within your organization. We explore the legal considerations, types of checks, and the optimal timing to maximize safety without deterring potential volunteers.
Join us as we speak with volunteerism experts who share best practices and real-world advice on integrating background checks into your volunteer onboarding process. Whether you're establishing a new policy or refining existing procedures, this episode will provide you with the knowledge to make informed decisions that protect your organization and its beneficiaries.
Tune in to learn how to balance safety and inclusivity in your volunteer program effectively.
Allowing minors to volunteer? Listen to THIS first. | Ep 5
20 nov. 2024
00:35:29
The Future of Volunteering: Best Practices for Minor Volunteers
This episode focuses on the critical aspects of involving minors in volunteer activities within nonprofit organizations. We discuss the legal, ethical, and practical considerations necessary to create a safe and enriching environment for young volunteers. From understanding consent and parental involvement to designing age-appropriate activities and ensuring adequate supervision, we cover the essential guidelines every nonprofit leader should know.
Hear from experts in volunteer management who share their insights on how to responsibly integrate minors into your volunteer programs. Whether you're just starting to involve young volunteers or looking to enhance your existing protocols, this episode provides invaluable advice on fostering a positive and impactful experience for all parties involved.
Tune in to ensure your organization is well-equipped to welcome the next generation of volunteers.
Mastering the Art of Volunteer Applications | Ep 4
13 nov. 2024
00:35:41
We explore the elements that make a great volunteer application. Learn what information to ask for and how to structure your application to attract the right candidates for your organization. We dive into the psychology of first impressions and how a well-crafted application can set the tone for a successful volunteer engagement.
Hear from experts in volunteer management who share their insights and tips on designing applications that not only screen effectively but also inspire and motivate potential volunteers to join your cause. Whether you're looking to overhaul your current application process or just fine-tuning, this episode provides the tools and knowledge you need to improve your volunteer intake process.
Join us to discover how to make your volunteer applications a gateway to a stronger, more effective volunteer force.
These ARE the ingredients, to an extraordinary volunteer program | Ep 3
06 nov. 2024
01:01:22
Episode 3 | The Recipe for an Extraordinary Volunteer Program
Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we delve into a unique six-step recipe to maximize the power of volunteerism in your organization so you can make an even greater impact.
This recipe was designed from 20+ years of experience in the world of nonprofits, having witnessed what makes and breaks volunteer programs.
Designed specifically for nonprofit leaders who are committed to making a significant impact, this episode will guide you through each phase of creating and managing volunteer programs that not only meet but exceed organizational goals.
Join us as we break down these six essential steps, offering practical insights and expert advice on how to implement these strategies effectively within your nonprofit. Whether you're looking to revitalize your existing volunteer efforts or build a robust program from the ground up, this episode is your go-to resource for elevating your volunteerism approach to new heights.
Lessons Learned from Hospital Volunteer Programs | Ep 2
30 oct. 2024
00:32:09
Exploring the Distinctive Nature of Hospital Volunteering
In this episode, we explore the critical role of management in hospital volunteering, highlighting what makes these programs distinct within the world of volunteerism. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with overseeing hospital volunteers, from recruiting and training to maintaining relationships and ensuring impactful patient interactions.
We bring together insights from industry leaders in volunteer management who share their experiences and strategies for building effective and compassionate volunteer teams within hospitals.
Whether you're refining an existing program or starting anew, this episode offers valuable perspectives on managing hospital volunteers to maximize their contributions to your institution.
Tune in to discover how to better support, engage, and lead your volunteer teams in a way that profoundly benefits both patients and healthcare providers.
In this episode, we explore the backbone of any successful volunteer program—the team behind it.
Discover who you need on your volunteerism team to maximize the impact and efficiency of your efforts. We dive deep into the roles and responsibilities of each key player and stakeholder, from the on-the-ground volunteers to the leadership that steers the vision.
Learn about the diverse skill sets and perspectives necessary to create a dynamic and effective team. Whether you’re starting a volunteer program from scratch or looking to enhance an existing one, this episode provides valuable insights into assembling a team that can truly make a difference.
Tune in to gain expert advice on structuring your volunteer team to better serve your community and achieve your organizational goals.