Home
Categories
EXPLORE
True Crime
Comedy
Society & Culture
Business
Sports
TV & Film
Technology
About Us
Contact Us
Copyright
© 2024 PodJoint
00:00 / 00:00
Sign in

or

Don't have an account?
Sign up
Forgot password
https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/1b/02/e9/1b02e9d8-c03e-758f-06cc-98bac39aa743/mza_3024380838193393255.jpg/600x600bb.jpg
Volunteer Nation
Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA
189 episodes
1 week ago
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms. Tobi walks through the three core areas to examine when evaluating your volunteer recruitment efforts and explains how even small refinements...
Show more...
Non-Profit
Business
RSS
All content for Volunteer Nation is the property of Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms. Tobi walks through the three core areas to examine when evaluating your volunteer recruitment efforts and explains how even small refinements...
Show more...
Non-Profit
Business
Episodes (20/189)
Volunteer Nation
189. How to Use a Communications Audit to Recruit More Volunteers
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms. Tobi walks through the three core areas to examine when evaluating your volunteer recruitment efforts and explains how even small refinements...
Show more...
1 week ago
21 minutes

Volunteer Nation
188. Let's Talk Volunteering with Weave: the Social Fabric Project
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a webinar featuring Jennifer Bennett of Idealist and Travis Sternhagen, Volunteer Manager at Kinship Community Food Center. The episode delves into the transformative community-centric approach adopted by Kinship, emphasizing mutual aid, trust, and relationships over traditional transactional models of volunteerism. Tobi and Jennifer discuss the challenges and strategies involved in fostering a sense of community amon...
Show more...
2 weeks ago
59 minutes

Volunteer Nation
187. Bold Leadership – Celebrating IVMDay with Nicole Smith
In this inspiring episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson celebrates International Volunteer Managers Day with special guest Nicole Smith, Executive Director of Alive. Together, they dive into this year’s powerful theme — “Be Bold and Make Change.” Nicole brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation, sharing what it really takes to lead boldly in today’s volunteer management landscape. From strategic advocacy and clear communication to accountability and c...
Show more...
3 weeks ago
1 hour 1 minute

Volunteer Nation
186. Strategy vs Tactics - How to Include Both in Your Volunteer Planning
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down one of the biggest pitfalls in volunteer planning: confusing strategy with tactics. She explains why a plan that’s just a long list of tasks will never move your mission forward and what to do instead. If you're ready to shift from “busy and reactive” to “focused and strategic,” this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable guidance. Plus, Tobi introduces Vision Week 2026, a hands-on, five-day planning ex...
Show more...
4 weeks ago
28 minutes

Volunteer Nation
185. To Burnout & Back - My Secret Struggle with Long COVID
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson steps away from her usual format to share her journey through long COVID, from the first onset of symptoms to the long road of recovery. Tobi opens up about the physical and emotional challenges she faced, the lessons learned along the way, and the radical self-care practices that helped her heal. She also reflects on what this experience taught her about compassion, resilience, and the hidden toll of chronic conditions. ...
Show more...
1 month ago
58 minutes

Volunteer Nation
184. The Experience Economy – Are Nonprofits Keeping Up?
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson unpacks how the experience economy is reshaping the way nonprofits engage and retain volunteers. Building on last week’s discussion about the evolving volunteer marketplace, Tobi explains why it’s no longer enough to simply offer opportunities — today’s volunteers expect meaningful, memorable, and transformative experiences. If you’re ready to meet modern volunteer expectations and create experiences that truly stand ou...
Show more...
1 month ago
40 minutes

Volunteer Nation
183. The New Reality - Volunteers Don't Need You
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson tackles a bold question: has the volunteer–nonprofit relationship changed for good? As societal expectations and volunteer trends evolve, Tobi explains why today’s landscape looks more like a buyer’s market, where volunteers have countless options and expect meaningful, flexible, and well-designed experiences. She explores the rise of informal volunteering, the growing need for adaptable roles, and the impact of digital engag...
Show more...
1 month ago
50 minutes

Volunteer Nation
182. The 8 Game-Changing Policies That Make Volunteers Say WOW!
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson builds on her previous conversation about harmful volunteer policies by introducing eight transformative strategies to attract and retain passionate volunteers. From creating a welcoming environment and offering flexible commitments to tailoring screening to risk levels and delivering engaging, bite-sized training, Tobi covers practical ways to elevate your volunteer program. She also highlights the power of real-time recogn...
Show more...
1 month ago
22 minutes

Volunteer Nation
181. The 8 Volunteer Policies That Are Killing Your Mission
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson uncovers eight common volunteer policies that could be hurting your mission. From poor first impressions and slow communication to overly complicated screening processes, inflexible commitments, dull training, micromanagement, lack of recognition, and difficult exit procedures, Tobi breaks down the pitfalls that can frustrate and disengage volunteers. You’ll get real-world examples of these challenges and actionable strategie...
Show more...
1 month ago
24 minutes

Volunteer Nation
180. 3 Smart Ways to Design Volunteer Service Awards
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson explores smart, research-backed frameworks for designing meaningful volunteer service awards. Instead of relying on traditional recognition tactics, she shows how to align awards with what truly drives volunteers—their motivations, timelines, and the impact they create. Tobi introduces fresh ideas such as immediate recognition and milestone-based acknowledgements, while also breaking down six proven motivational factors that ...
Show more...
2 months ago
39 minutes

Volunteer Nation
179. Transformative Service Experiences with Frederick J. Riley and Jackie Wolven
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into the topic of transformative service experiences with guests Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave the Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, and Jackie Woven, Executive Director of Main Street Eureka Springs. They discuss practical strategies for building, growing, and scaling volunteer talent within communities, emphasizing the importance of local, relational, and mutual engagement. The trio expl...
Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 5 minutes

Volunteer Nation
178. 6 Ways to Help Program Volunteers Avoid Compassion Fatigue
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives deep into the critical issue of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress among program volunteers. These frontline heroes play vital roles in tutoring, hospice, crisis support and more, but without proper training, boundaries, and support, they risk burnout and emotional harm. Tobi shares six practical ways nonprofit leaders can use to support volunteer wellness, from boundary-setting to debriefing practices an...
Show more...
2 months ago
39 minutes

Volunteer Nation
177. Manage Volunteers Like a Pro: 7 Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into the 7 common rookie mistakes non-profits make when managing volunteers and shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers reduce stress and rediscover the joy in their work. Tobi highlights the power of maintaining a positive mindset, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on community-building over paperwork. She also shares actionable tips for creating effective systems for delegation, engaging episodic v...
Show more...
3 months ago
37 minutes

Volunteer Nation
176. Beyond Pizza Parties: Innovative Appreciation Ideas for Volunteers
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the importance of strategic volunteer appreciation. Moving beyond traditional gifts and certificates, she explores how to recognize and value volunteers in ways that are meaningful and aligned with core human needs and organizational goals. Tobi provides 12 innovative appreciation ideas categorized into meeting volunteer needs for safety, connection, and purpose, and aligning with organizational goals such as progr...
Show more...
3 months ago
25 minutes

Volunteer Nation
175. Outputs vs Outcomes: Why Counting Hours Isn’t Enough
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into why it’s time to move beyond traditional volunteer metrics like hours logged and retention rates. She unpacks the difference between outputs and outcomes, sharing practical examples and actionable strategies for measuring and showcasing the true impact volunteers have on communities and organizations. Tobi explains how tracking outcomes can inspire volunteers, improve program quality, strengthen recruitment messag...
Show more...
3 months ago
35 minutes

Volunteer Nation
174. Write Volunteer Emails Volunteers Actually Read (and Love)
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares expert tips on how to craft volunteer emails that truly connect and convert. From attention-grabbing subject lines to warm, welcoming salutations and easy-to-read content, Tobi breaks down the key elements that make emails more engaging and effective. You’ll learn why personalization matters, how to structure your emails for maximum impact, and the small details, like a creative sign-off or a compelling P.S. that can m...
Show more...
3 months ago
24 minutes

Volunteer Nation
173. Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away?
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares valuable insights on how nonprofits can improve volunteer websites to attract and engage more volunteers effectively. Addressing common issues such as unclear value propositions, excessive choice options, stock imagery, and poor mobile experiences, Tobi discusses practical strategies to create a compelling and user-friendly volunteer hub. She emphasizes the importance of clear calls to action, authentic visuals,...
Show more...
3 months ago
46 minutes

Volunteer Nation
172. How to Give Clear Volunteer Feedback with Confidence
Do you find it uncomfortable giving feedback to volunteers? You're not alone! In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson walks you through how to deliver clear, confident feedback to your volunteers in a way that fosters growth, maintains trust, and avoids discomfort. Whether it's reinforcing great behavior or correcting issues, Tobi shares real examples and practical scripts you can start using right away. You'll learn the difference between corrective, confirming, and th...
Show more...
4 months ago
26 minutes

Volunteer Nation
171. Practical Community Building Tips for Your Volunteer Team
In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the heart of what makes a volunteer team truly thrive: community. Drawing from both personal experience and well-established sociological principles, Tobi explores five essential pillars that foster a sense of belonging and connection among volunteers and between volunteers and staff. This episode is a must-listen for volunteer leaders who want to create a more collaborative, motivated, and mission-driven team. Whether you're ...
Show more...
4 months ago
28 minutes

Volunteer Nation
170. My Top Takeaways from Giving USA 2025
In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the key findings from the Giving USA 2025 report and uncovers the powerful link between volunteerism and philanthropy. Tobi explores how individual donors and volunteer leaders are shaping the future of nonprofit fundraising, and why community support has never been more essential. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, volunteer coordinator, or board member, you'll walk away with actionable tips for harnessing the power of volunt...
Show more...
4 months ago
38 minutes

Volunteer Nation
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms. Tobi walks through the three core areas to examine when evaluating your volunteer recruitment efforts and explains how even small refinements...