Volunteer Nation

223. We're Taking a Summer Break!

After four and a half years and over 220 episodes, Tobi Johnson is taking her first summer break. In this personal episode, she shares why rest matters, what she'll

222. Volunteer Leadership Stories with Catherine Huckaby

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 inter

221. How to Use a Google Grant to Recruit Volunteers with Clay Mansell

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 Tob

220. Impact Lab POV - Advisory Committees & Shared Power with Breauna Dorelus

Advisory committees often tokenize community voices instead of empowering them. Cause consultant Breauna Dorelus shares how to design role‑specific, behavior‑based positi

219. Impact Lab POV - Improving Volunteer Staff Relations with Corina Sadler

Strong volunteer‑staff relationships don't happen by accident. In this episode, volunteer management expert Corina Sadler shares how emotional intelligence, data tra

218. The Nonprofit Volunteer Management Skills I Wish I Had When I Started

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,

217. What Is a Volunteer? Why It Matters to You Org

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 h

216. Your Quick Guide to Better Volunteer Thank You Notes

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 wri

215. 5 Ways to Boost the Fun Factor for Community 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 thi

214. Defending National Service & Community Resilience with Kaira Esgate

Advocacy for volunteerism can't wait until a crisis hits. Sometimes the crisis arrives without warning, and the relationships you've built with policymakers det

213. Impact Lab POV - Community-based Volunteer Networks with Kristi Sebald

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

212. Impact Lab POV - Volunteer Training Programs Made Easy with Dana Litwin

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

211. Best Practices & Community Spirit with Volunteering New Zealand

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,

210. Impact Lab POV – Better Volunteer Offboarding with Ruth Leonard

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

209. Impact Lab POV: Leadership and Influence with Megan Vixie

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 st

208 – How to Build a Volunteer Ambassador Program to Attract Support

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 orga

207. Is Your Volunteer Application Process Broken?

A slow or confusing volunteer application process can cost organizations more than time. It can lead to missed opportunities, frustrated applicants, and fewer volunteers

206. Essential Volunteer Software - The Tech Stack You Can’t Afford to Skip

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 b

205. My Top Time Management Tips for Overwhelmed Volunteer Managers

Managing volunteers often means juggling a wide range of responsibilities. From responding to emails and coordinating schedules to planning events and maintaining relatio

204. Transforming Your Volunteer Strategy: A Case Study with ScholarMatch

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, Tob