Volunteer Nation

Most people don't volunteer because they don't feel ready. But what if that's the myth holding your organization back? In this episode, Tobi Johnson interviews Catherine Huckaby, author of Nobody Starts Ready , about the power of volunteer leadership stories. Catherine shares real examples of volunteers who started with self-doubt and grew into community leaders—and how their storie...

Your nonprofit could have $10,000 a month in free Google Ads, but most organizations miss this opportunity to recruit volunteers. Marketing expert Clay Mansell joins Tobi Johnson to break down how to access Google Grants, target the right keywords, create landing pages that convert, and work effectively with your marketing team. You'll learn about Google Trends, keyword research, and how to s...

Advisory committees often tokenize community voices instead of empowering them. Cause consultant Breauna Dorelus shares how to design role‑specific, behavior‑based position descriptions that build equity, deepen participation, and repair power dynamics. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, you'll learn common pitfalls to avoid, how to move from transactional to relational engageme...

Strong volunteer‑staff relationships don't happen by accident. In this episode, volunteer management expert Corina Sadler shares how emotional intelligence, data tracking, and ongoing coaching can transform tension into teamwork. You'll learn why volunteer‑staff relations are a long‑term strategic investment, how to mediate conflicts with compassion, and practical ways to build trust acr...

Most volunteer leaders learn on the job, through trial and error, and sometimes burnout. But what if you could start with the skills that really matter? In this episode, Tobi Johnson draws on 25+ years of experience to share the essential skills she wishes she had from day one. You'll learn why self‑regulation and emotional resilience are critical for preventing burnout and leading with clari...

Most organizations see volunteers as free labor. That narrow view hides their true value. In this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why redefining volunteer roles unlocks hidden assets: relational capital, advocacy reach, donor pipelines, and community credibility. She covers practical steps to write clear role descriptions, reduce staff‑volunteer tension, and stay legally compliant, from U.S. Depart...

A generic “thanks” isn’t enough. Personalized thank-you notes can transform volunteer retention. In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares a simple four‑step framework to write meaningful appreciation: specific actions, impact, acknowledgment, and gratitude. She also offers creative ways to recognize remote volunteers, scale appreciation, and build a culture of genuine gratitude. If you want volunteers...

A volunteer program without joy can lead to burnout and turnover. But adding fun doesn't mean being less professional; it means building a genuine community. In this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why shared experiences and fun are essential for retention. She shares a story from a recent informal gathering with her own volunteer team and introduces the concept of edutainment, learning combin...

Advocacy for volunteerism can't wait until a crisis hits. Sometimes the crisis arrives without warning, and the relationships you've built with policymakers determine whether your program survives. In this episode, host Tobi Johnson welcomes Kaira Esgate , CEO of America's Service Commissions, to discuss sudden funding cuts that threatened AmeriCorps. Kaira shares how grant terminat...

Strengthening volunteer engagement isn't always about doing more with your own program. Sometimes it's about letting go of the need to hold onto every volunteer and instead building connections across your entire community. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, part of the Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johnson is joined by Kristi Sebald , a guest advisor and expert in volunteer...

Effective volunteer training is more than checking a box; it builds confident, engaged volunteers who stay longer and deliver greater impact. Yet many organizations rely on long, one-size-fits-all sessions that frustrate volunteers and miss chances to align with staff development. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast – Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johnson welcomes Dana Litwin, volunteer...

Volunteer engagement doesn't exist in a vacuum—it's deeply shaped by community values, national infrastructure, and a spirit of collective care. In New Zealand, where over 115,000 not-for-profits operate and most are volunteer-led, best practices for volunteer management must reflect local culture and real-world challenges like low tech adoption and the need for more informal opportuniti...

Volunteer engagement doesn’t end when service concludes. In fact, how organizations say goodbye to their volunteers can have a lasting impact on relationships, reputation, and future support. Yet, volunteer offboarding is often overlooked or treated as an administrative task rather than a meaningful opportunity for connection. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , part of the Impact La...

Leadership in volunteer engagement is not defined by title or workload, but by the ability to influence, align, and inspire others toward a shared vision. Many leaders stay busy managing day-to-day tasks, yet struggle to step into a more visible and strategic role that drives real organizational impact. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast , part of the Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johns...

Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways nonprofits attract new supporters, but what if you could harness it more intentionally? Without a clear strategy, many organizations miss the opportunity to turn passionate volunteers into active promoters of their mission. In this episode, Tobi Johnson explores how to build an effective volunteer ambassador program that expands your reach, strengthen...

A slow or confusing volunteer application process can cost organizations more than time. It can lead to missed opportunities, frustrated applicants, and fewer volunteers joining your mission.  In this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why many volunteer application systems break down and how small delays, unclear next steps, and overly complicated forms can cause potential volunteers to drop off befo...

Volunteer managers often rely on a mix of spreadsheets, emails, and manual processes to keep programs running. But as volunteer programs grow, those systems can quickly become overwhelming and difficult to manage.  In this episode, Tobi Johnson explores the role technology plays in helping volunteer leaders work more efficiently and strategically. She breaks down the concept of a “tech stack” and...

Managing volunteers often means juggling a wide range of responsibilities. From responding to emails and coordinating schedules to planning events and maintaining relationships, volunteer leaders frequently feel pulled in many directions at once.  In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers regain focus and reduce the sense of constant overwhelm. Drawing fr...

Strengthening a volunteer strategy is not always about fixing a struggling program. Sometimes it is about preparing a successful program for growth. In this episode, Tobi Johnson is joined by Lisa Lopez and Paola Gonzalez from ScholarMatch to discuss how their organization examined its volunteer engagement model. Through an eight-month collaboration, the team evaluated their systems, explored new...

Volunteer burnout is not always caused by time, workload, or lack of commitment. In many cases, it happens when leaders begin to feel less effective in their roles. As confidence and enjoyment decline, even experienced volunteers may start to disengage or step away.  In this episode, Tobi Johnson sits down with leadership performance coach Paul Clarke to discuss new research on why volunteer leade...

Volunteer events can be some of the most powerful tools nonprofits have, but they can also be some of the most stressful.  In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares key takeaways from a recent high-energy training inside the Volunteer Pro Impact Lab, where she taught nonprofit leaders how to run volunteer events that create real impact without chaos or burnout.  Whether you’re hosting corporate teams,...

What if you never had to panic-recruit volunteers again?  Scrambling to find 25 volunteers by next week is stressful, reactive, and exhausting.  In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a smarter approach: build a volunteer pipeline before you need it using simple marketing tools like lead magnets, nurture emails, and even interactive quizzes.  Instead of chasing people...

The 200th episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast marks a major milestone.  After four years, hundreds of conversations, and insights from volunteer leaders around the world, Tobi Johnson takes a step back to reflect on what has changed in volunteer engagement and what today’s organizations must do differently to build stronger, more sustainable volunteer programs.  From strategy and systems to re...

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson continues her deep dive into the future of volunteerism with Part 2 of her trends and predictions series.  Building on the first three trends covered in Episode 198, Tobi explores how wellness, technology, data, and evolving models of giving are reshaping how volunteers engage and what leaders need to prepare for next.  Inspired by fut...

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast , Tobi Johnson shares Part 1 of her 2026 trends and predictions for the future of volunteerism. This is the first half of a two-part series exploring 8 major shifts shaping how communities show up, how volunteer-driven organizations build trust, and what leaders of volunteers must pay attention to in the year ahead.  Tobi dives into the first three b...