Volunteer Nation

In part 2 of our behind-the-scenes series on the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi Johnson returns with Allison Russell, Assistant Professor of Public & Nonprofit Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, for a powerful conversation on practitioner research and what it can teach us about the volunteer engagement profession.  Allison steps into the interviewer role again as they...

To mark 10 years of the Volunteer Management Progress Report (VMPR), Tobi Johnson hands the mic to nonprofit scholar Allison Russell for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to produce a decade-long, global research study, without grant funding, institutional backing, or a full research team.  Joined by longtime research partner Pam Kappelides, this episode explores why volu...

As we step into a brand-new year, Tobi takes listeners on a reflective walk through the most popular Volunteer Nation Podcast episodes of 2025, sharing key insights and takeaways from each.  Think of this as a Reader’s Digest–style recap of the ideas, strategies, and conversations that resonated most with volunteer engagement leaders over the past year and a powerful resource to help you start 202...

In this episode of Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson welcomes back Amira Barger, award-winning communications executive, educator, and author of The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck and Four Actions for Real Change .  Together, they explore how “niceness” often operates as a form of social control, especially in workplaces, nonprofits, and volunteer-driven organizations, and why prio...

How do volunteer leaders move from being seen as “extra hands” to strategic drivers of mission success?  In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson is joined by Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble, co-hosts of the Time for Impact Podcast in the UK, for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about building influence through impact.  Together, they explore why volunteering need...

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson tackles a topic that’s becoming increasingly urgent in the nonprofit and volunteer engagement world: copyright, intellectual property, and the ethics of sharing content.  As a content creator, trainer, and consultant, Tobi has seen a growing wave of copyright misuse, most often unintentional, but still harmful. From lifted slide decks...

In this episode of Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down a common misconception in the nonprofit world: Who is ultimately responsible for shaping your organization’s volunteer culture?  After receiving pushback from a newsletter statement, Tobi walks us through the deeper nuance of volunteer culture, how it forms, why it goes wrong, and most importantly, why the CEO, not the volunteer...

In this episode of Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi dives deep into what makes a truly exceptional volunteer user experience — from the very first moment someone encounters your organization, through onboarding, active service, and beyond.  Tobi breaks down the five core UX principles nonprofits must master — clarity, consistency, ease, empathy, and delight and explains how they shape volunteer sati...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms.  Tobi walks through the three core areas to exami...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a webinar featuring Jennifer Bennett of Idealist and Travis Sternhagen, Volunteer Manager at Kinship Community Food Center. The episode delves into the transformative community-centric approach adopted by Kinship, emphasizing mutual aid, trust, and relationships over traditional transactional models of volunteerism.   Tobi and Je...

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...

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...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson steps away from her usual format to share her journey through long COVID, from the first onset of symptoms to the long road of recovery.  Tobi opens up about the physical and emotional challenges she faced, the lessons learned along the way, and the radical self-care practices that helped her heal. She also reflects on what this experi...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson unpacks how the experience economy is reshaping the way nonprofits engage and retain volunteers.  Building on last week’s discussion about the evolving volunteer marketplace, Tobi explains why it’s no longer enough to simply offer opportunities — today’s volunteers expect meaningful, memorable, and transformative experiences.  If you’r...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson tackles a bold question: has the volunteer–nonprofit relationship changed for good?  As societal expectations and volunteer trends evolve, Tobi explains why today’s landscape looks more like a buyer’s market, where volunteers have countless options and expect meaningful, flexible, and well-designed experiences. She explores the rise of...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson builds on her previous conversation about harmful volunteer policies by introducing eight transformative strategies to attract and retain passionate volunteers.   From creating a welcoming environment and offering flexible commitments to tailoring screening to risk levels and delivering engaging, bite-sized training, Tobi covers practi...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson uncovers eight common volunteer policies that could be hurting your mission. From poor first impressions and slow communication to overly complicated screening processes, inflexible commitments, dull training, micromanagement, lack of recognition, and difficult exit procedures, Tobi breaks down the pitfalls that can frustrate and disen...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson explores smart, research-backed frameworks for designing meaningful volunteer service awards. Instead of relying on traditional recognition tactics, she shows how to align awards with what truly drives volunteers—their motivations, timelines, and the impact they create.  Tobi introduces fresh ideas such as immediate recognition and mil...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson dives into the topic of transformative service experiences with guests Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave the Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, and Jackie Woven, Executive Director of Main Street Eureka Springs.   They discuss practical strategies for building, growing, and scaling volunteer talent within commu...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson dives deep into the critical issue of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress among program volunteers. These frontline heroes play vital roles in tutoring, hospice, crisis support and more, but without proper training, boundaries, and support, they risk burnout and emotional harm.  Tobi shares six practical ways nonprofit le...

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 a...

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 ne...

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 tra...

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 ma...

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 volu...