Volunteer Nation

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, host Tobi interviews global change management expert Martin J. Cowling. They discuss the transformative shifts happening in volunteer management, and the need for 21st-century organizations to rethink their approach to volunteers.   Martin shares his insights on how organizations can better leverage their volunteer talent by selling the impact of vo...

In this episode, Tobi discusses how organizations can decide whether a role should be a volunteer, or paid position. She discusses the key differences between volunteer work and paid roles in areas such as legal definitions, pay structures, motivations, behavior, roles, expertise and identity.  Tobi also emphasizes that the decision must be strategic and respectful to the volunteers, and how roles...

In this episode of the podcast, Tobi shares six tactical strategies to boost volunteer signups. These strategies involve diagnosing what's currently working and what's not, increasing the number of personal asks, tracking and radically decreasing response time.   Tobi also delves into paid advertising and public service announcements to garner attention, utilizing website pop-ups and ban...

In this episode, Tobi is joined by Patricia Gentry, who is the strategy advisor at VolunteerPro. They discuss the importance of moving from in-program work to strategic planning, focusing on the wider vision, the need to shift mindsets, and why building relationships, creating accountability, and cultivating self-reflection are key for leadership. Tobi and Patricia also debate the pitfalls of impo...

In this episode, host Tobi examines the mode of operating a successful volunteer initiative. Highlighting the struggle to rebuild volunteer strength amid the pandemic, Tobi elaborates on the five phases that Volunteer Pro teaches: Envisioning the Future, Building the Foundation, Growing Engagement, Sustaining Involvement, and Scaling Leadership. Tobi explains these strategies in detail, stressing...

In this episode, host Tobi is joined by special guest Dr. Chris Lambert, CEO of Life Remodeled. Together, they dive into the transformative power of volunteerism, by working with communities, not for communities. They explore the grassroots to grass tops approach, sharing power, and educating volunteers about systemic root causes of community challenges. The episode delves into the approaches of L...

It’s that time of the year, when people are setting goals and aspirations for the new year. In the spirit of intention setting and renewal, host Tobi Johnson shares some New Years resolution ideas for nonprofits in this episode, specifically about how they can better engage the community in their good works. From cultivating gratitude and setting healthy boundaries to enhancing wellness and person...

In this episode, guest Kristina Joy Carlson and host Tobi Johnson share valuable insights on improving volunteer experiences through the power of the KIND method. From navigating turbulent times to cultivating deep commitment even in conflict, they offer practical strategies for nonprofit success and creating meaningful connections with volunteers and donors. Their conversation also highlighted th...

Looking for fresh volunteer recruitment ideas?  Look no further. In this episode, Volunteer Nation host Tobi Johnson provides practical tips and big ideas to attract and retain volunteers, drawing from volunteer experiences and the current landscape of volunteerism as reflected in comments of a recent Washington Post article. Tobi also addresses the systemic issues in volunteerism, such as organiz...

In this episode, host Tobi Johnson sits down with special guest Helen Tourle, a senior consultant for volunteering at the National Council for Voluntary Organizations (NCVO). Together, they delve into the history of the Time Well Spent research series and findings of the most recent study, focusing on volunteer experiences among the global majority. The discuss key takeaways from the report, the i...

In this episode, Tobi  reviews the history and impact of the Volunteer Management Progress Report, a global state-of-the-industry survey spanning 9 years and encompassing insights from leaders of volunteers across 36 countries. She delves into key trends from past reports, the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion planning, correlations between resources and capacity,  the increasing tech-matu...

In this episode, host Tobi Johnson talks about the challenge of retaining episodic volunteers who step up to help during the holiday season but often disappear afterwards. Tobi shares a 4-part culture of commitment formula that sets the stage for deeper levels of commitment, discusses the importance of creating a purposeful onboarding plan even for one-time volunteers, and gives strategies for del...

In this Volunteer Nation host, Tobi Johnson, dives deep into the art of goal-setting. She shares practical tips and real-life examples to inspire and guide you in establishing meaningful and impactful volunteer goals for your charitable cause, membership, or movement. The episode is a must-listen, even if you didn't attend our recent VisionWeek strategic planning bootcamp event. Remember, it&...

Our host, Tobi, is joined by the incredible Advita Patel, an expert in internal communications and inclusive workplaces. Together, they discuss the challenges faced by the voluntary sector when it comes to building an inclusive culture and volunteer environment and unravel strategies to overcome them. From understanding knowledge gaps to fostering belonging and diversity, Tobi and Advita provide v...

In this episode, Tobi and guest Alyson Gallaher dive into the world of corporate-nonprofit collaborations. They shed light on the changing dynamics of corporate partnerships, emphasizing the importance of understanding community needs and advocating for change. They discuss the significance of demonstrating impact, preparing for successful partnerships, and building lasting relationships with corp...

The new year brings fresh possibilities and a clean slate - what will you do with it?  Not sure? In this episode, Tobi shares how to create a vision for the future, backed up by clear blueprint for success with her signature READY, SET, GOTM nonprofit strategic planning process.  She also invites listeners to ditch uncertainty and build a plan to create a clear path to the goals you seek by joinin...

In this episode, sits down with Kivi Leroux Miller, an expert in nonprofit marketing to discuss  the importance of collaboration between volunteer services and nonprofit marketers, offering practical insights and tactics for fostering effective partnerships. Tobi emphasizes the crucial role of marketing in volunteer recruitment and highlights the need for collaboration between these two essential...

In this episode, Tobi provides you with an exclusive sneak peek into the key concepts and insights shared in her upcoming book for volunteer leaders. Tobi shares her personal journey and insights from years of experience in the field. The book explores the vital role volunteer leaders play in building thriving communities and the significance of their contributions to society. Full show notes: 080...

In this episode, Tobi Johnson dives deep into the world of nonprofit SEO and how it can revolutionize your volunteer recruitment efforts. SEO might sound like a foreign concept, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring that your organization can be easily found by potential volunteers on the world's most popular search engine – Google. Full show notes: 079. Nonprofit SEO: How to Get Found on G...

In this episode, Tobi sits down with Tyler Manley, an expert in skills-based volunteering from Catchafire, to delve into the topic of finding skills-based volunteers the easy way. They discuss the power and value of skills-based volunteers, as well as the resistance organizations often face when trying to engage this type of volunteer. Full show notes: 078. Finding Skills-Based Volunteers the Easy...

In this episode,  Tobi has a fascinating discussion on engaging communities in social change with Vichi Jagannathan. Vichi shares her personal journey and experiences in working towards social change in rural communities, specifically in eastern North Carolina. Full show notes: 077. Engaging Communities in Social Change with Vichi Jagannathan Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer N...

In this episode, Tobi engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Sandy Rees, CEO of Get Fully Funded, about innovative strategies for fundraising success. Sandy Rees is Founder and Chief Encouragement Officer of Get Fully Funded, an organization that shows small nonprofits how to raise the money they need to fully fund their budget. She makes fundraising easy, showing people practical, proven...

Tobi sits down with Julia Campbell, a seasoned expert in nonprofit marketing and communications. Together, they explore proven strategies for attracting and engaging volunteers through the power of social media. Julia shares her valuable insights gained from her experience as a fundraiser and her work helping organizations reach their volunteer recruitment goals. From framing opportunities in a po...

In this episode, Tobi delve into the crucial topic of volunteer retention. As the pandemic has left many feeling tired and exhausted, people have become more selective in how they spend their time. They are searching for meaningful experiences that align with their priorities. So, how can organizations create volunteer opportunities that are resilient, healthy, and purposeful? Full show notes: 073...

In this episode, Tobi  deep into the world of sports and extract valuable lessons that nonprofit leaders can apply to their organizations. Just like the US Women’s World Cup team, we explore the importance of team spirit and how it translates to success in both soccer and our nonprofit endeavors. Full show notes: 073. Vital Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders from Women's World Cup Thanks for liste...