Volunteer Nation

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi discusses the key volunteer recruitment trends from the 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report. She explores the major challenges non-profit organizations face in recruiting and retaining volunteers, such as time constraints, lack of support, and alignment issues between volunteer roles and community interests.  Tobi also emphasizes the impo...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi dives into the art of expanding volunteer roles within nonprofits. Inspired by a recent workshop, she breaks down the essential steps to designing an effective volunteer program that truly meets organizational needs.  From setting clear volunteer goals to brainstorming new roles, aligning with volunteer interests, and collaborating with colleag...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi introduces the newly rebranded VolunteerPro Impact Lab, a community dedicated to supporting volunteer-driven organizations in their program development and assessment.   Tobi discusses the enhancements and features of the platform, including the Volunteer Strategy Success Path model, assessment tools, and various training and coaching resources...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi is joined by the Founder of the Collective Good, Britt Hogue. The pair discuss the importance of bringing a collectivist spirit to nonpartisan volunteer work, especially in divisive politics.  Britt shares her experience in organizing intergenerational conversations, and provides practical strategies for managing volunteer conflict, encouraging...

In the first episode of 2025, Tobi shares her insights on developing an impactful volunteer recruitment flyer. She discusses common problems, such as lack of audience targeting, incomplete journey planning, and ineffective distribution strategies.   Tobi provides practical tips for creating flyers that resonate with specific audiences, plan the entire volunteer journey, and enhance personal connec...

In this holiday-themed episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson shares the top 6 Volunteer Nation Podcast episodes from 2024! Themes include transitioning from doer to nonprofit leader, transforming volunteer leadership, successful volunteer coordination, effective volunteer management, boosting volunteer signups, and volunteer retention strategies.  As we come to the end of the...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi shares 8 practical ways to build capacity with volunteer teams. These include leadership development, community engagement, program development and evaluation, and technology and data management, among others. Tobi also offers advice on setting up and managing volunteer teams, from using advisory groups to building data and reporting teams. The...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi discusses practical strategies for addressing volunteer performance issues. She introduces a structured approach called the 'Great Communications Model' and emphasizes the importance of setting clear boundaries, using authority correctly, and maintaining focus on organizational mission.   This episode also includes tips for handling d...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi unpacks volunteer retention issues using a real-life case study from a Reddit post titled 'I'm never volunteering for a food bank ever again.' Tobi reads the post in its entirety and offers a detailed analysis based on research and expert insights.   Key points include the importance of person-task fit, managerial treatment, orga...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson shares an insightful discussion from a recent VolunteerPro membership coaching call. The episode dives deep into ways to create safe, inclusive spaces for volunteers, particularly in uncertain times marked by social and political divisions.   Tobi emphasizes the importance of building community and acknowledging the non-profit sector&ap...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Volunteer Management Progress Report survey. Tobi reflects on the evolution of the survey over the past decade and its significant contributions to the field of volunteer management.   This year's theme focuses on volunteer recruitment, aiming to gather detailed data on effective tactics and c...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the concept of neighboring and its importance in building and sustaining volunteer programs with guest, Breauna Dorelus.   They explore the idea of neighboring as a verb and its role in countering societal divisiveness, fostering community involvement, and ensuring the sustainability of nonprofits. Breauna shares her insights...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson delves into the potent potential of video storytelling in nonprofit and volunteer sectors. Joined by video storytelling experts Aaron Walton and Emmanuel LeGrair, this discussion focuses on how video can emotionally engage viewers, share compelling stories, and ultimately drive volunteer recruitment and donor engagement.   They share pr...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi explores the importance of annual planning for volunteer services and shares personal experiences of the challenges faced when a plan is absent. Tobi outlines eight common mistakes made during annual planning, such as building a to-do list of tactics rather than a strategic plan, not articulating a clear vision, failing to involve key stakehold...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson delves into her secrets to building buy in and reducing resistance to change within nonprofit organizations. Drawing on her extensive 25-year background in the nonprofit sector, Tobi delivers actionable insights and techniques for leaders of volunteers and nonprofit professionals facing implementation challenges.   The episode covers th...

In the second part of this interview, Tobi discusses the implementation and future of Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering with Zac Reimers and Sarah Wilson. They cover key challenges such as adapting to post-COVID realities, managing inflation, and addressing volunteer management issues like funding and recruitment.   The discussion highlights the importance of inclusivity, cross-sector...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Zac Reimers and Sarah Wilson onto the show to talk about volunteerism in Australia, focusing on the development and implementation of Australia's National Strategy.   Zac and Sarah share insights on the volunteer ecosystem, challenges faced by volunteer-involving organizations, and the significance of the newly developed national s...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson provides practical advice on how to build a strategic volunteer plan for 2025. As we approach Q4 of 2024, Tobi discusses the importance of aligning volunteer activities with organizational goals and the need for a clear, concise plan to navigate common challenges like recruitment, retention, and resource allocation.  She outlines a thre...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi provides a thorough guide on distinguishing between paid and volunteer roles within nonprofit organizations. Tobi offers a simple checklist and key considerations involving legal implications, labor laws, and tax aspects. She also touches on sustainability, efficiency, and the integration of volunteers into organizational frameworks, advocating...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi invites William Henry onto the podcast to discuss the critical yet often overlooked topic of insurance for volunteers. They delve into the need-to-have and nice-to-have insurance policies for nonprofit organizations that engage volunteers.  The discussion touches on general liability, auto liability, and professional liability insurance, as wel...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi delves into the different approaches to volunteer engagement: volunteer-centric, community-centric, and organization-centric. Tobi provides insights on the significance of each approach, their benefits, and challenges, while sharing practical tips for balancing these orientations within nonprofit organizations.   Through analyzing search trends...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi shares the 8 ways to empower, not rescue nonprofit employees and volunteers. She discusses the importance of coaching skills for nonprofit professionals who work with volunteers, highlighting key lessons and frameworks that help improve performance.  Tobi outlines how nonprofit organizations can effectively support their teams without resorting...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson invites strategic communications and marketing counselor, Amira Barger for an enlightening discussion on diversity and women in the workplace. They explore the unique challenges faced by women, the role of organizations in addressing systemic inequities, and the importance of advocacy and taking up space.   Amira shares her personal jou...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson invites Faiza Venzant onto the show to discuss equity tools for nonprofits volunteerism. They highlight the ADEVI project and the Equity to Action Toolkit, which has been designed to integrate more inclusivity and equity into volunteer programs.  Faiza shares insights from her work and personal journey, including her upbringing and prof...

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Samantha Barlow onto the show to talk about new research on the benefits of volunteering. They delve into the benefits for both volunteers and communities, the evolving role of volunteers, and the success of Human Appeal's volunteer program.  Key talking points include community volunteering, emotional satisfaction, professional de...