The VolunteerMatters Podcast

“The Y is more than a gym and swim — it’s a powerful force for good, driven by dedicated volunteers.” 👉🏻 Want a guide to the YMCA & VolunteerMatters partnership? Download the FREE guide: https://public.volunteermatters.org/files/podcast/whitepapers/VolunteerMatters_White_Paper-YMCA+Volunteering_(ep22).pdf Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading voluntee...

“The number one reason volunteers don’t engage is fear of the unknown." 👉🏻 Want a guide to recruiting volunteers? Download the FREE guide: https://public.volunteermatters.org/files/podcast/whitepapers/Promoting_Volunteer_Projects_(ep21).pdf Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedicated to helping nonprofits bu...

“Training that needs to be repeated adds a layer of complexity most nonprofits aren’t tracking well.” 👉🏻 Want a guide to scaling volunteer training? Download the FREE guide: https://public.volunteermatters.org/files/podcast/whitepapers/Training_Volunteers_at_Scale_(ep20).pdf Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management software dedi...

“The higher you go, the less you should be doing. Your job is to equip, empower, and get out of the way." 👉🏻 Want a guide to building a strong volunteerism team? Download the FREE guide: https://public.volunteermatters.org/files/podcast/whitepapers/Volunteerism_Dream_Team_(ep1).pdf Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer management s...

“Retaining volunteers is 70% less expensive than recruiting new ones—so why aren't we doing more to bring them back?"  👉🏻 Want a guide to re-engaging volunteers?  Download the FREE guide: https://public.volunteermatters.org/files/podcast/whitepapers/Re-Engaging_Lapsed_Volunteers_(ep18).pdf Join Mark, President, and Sophia, Customer Success Coach at VolunteerMatters, a leading volunteer...

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...

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. Key Takeaways: • Unlocking Funding Opportunities • Celebrating Volunteer Contributions • Boosting Operational Efficiency • Practical Tracking Methods • The Importance of Reporting Listen in to learn how...

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 strategie...

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 purpo...

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 transacti...

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 Voluntee...

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 volunte...

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...

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 a...

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 dow...

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 poli...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 spec...

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 impa...

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...