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, organizational support, and psychological contract theory. The episode also touches on the broader implications of poor volunteer experiences and offers practical strategies for improving volunteer satisfaction and ..read more

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's expertise in this area. She highlights how reinforcing norms, establishing rituals, and offering spaces for emotional debriefing can foster a sense of safety and belonging. The episode also inclu ..read more

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 the significance of involving stakeholders in decision-making, the power of maintaining strong leadership relationships, and the necessity of a written plan as the 'language of leadership.’ Tobi sh ..read more

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the findings from the Volunteer Management Progress Report. This is part two of a two-part series focusing on volunteerism statistics for 2024, offering insights on the internal support within organizations for those leading volunteers.    Tobi highlights the importance of leadership support, the challenges faced by volunteer managers, and the correlation between leadership backing and volunteer manager job satisfaction and retention. The episode emphasizes the need for a pro-volunteer culture to boost organizati ..read more

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson delves into the vital topic of new volunteer orientation. Tobi offers detailed insights on what to include and what to avoid, ensuring a successful onboarding process that fosters long-term commitment. She emphasizes the importance of addressing both informational and emotional needs of volunteers, integrating confidence-building activities, socialization opportunities, and inspirational storytelling. Tobi also shares practical tips on avoiding common training pitfalls like information overload and stresses the importance of making ..read more

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the crucial need for organizations to meet the needs of their volunteers in order to sustain their operations. Tobi addresses the common issue of dwindling volunteer engagement, exacerbated by the pandemic, warning that if change is not embraced, organizations risk losing even more momentum and volunteers.  Within this episode, Tobi also proposes seven pivotal mindset shifts in volunteer management and how adopting these shifts will enable your organization to better align with the expectations of volunteers and provi ..read more

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 challenges. Tobi also details the survey development process and emphasizes the importance of participation for generating valuable insights!  Full show notes: 137. Volunteer Stats, Trends, and Be ..read more

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 on dismantling harmful volunteer practices and emphasizes the need for community engagement and the reimagination of volunteerism. The pair also address the nuances of navigating identities in ou ..read more

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, the three discuss how video can emotionally engage viewers, share compelling stories, and ultimately drive volunteer recruitment and donor engagement.   They share practical tips for getting started with minimal resources, the importance of authentic storytelling, and key factors to consider when hiring professional production services. They also emphasize the importa ..read more

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 stakeholders, and not celebrating wins.   She also provides practical advice and remedies for each mistake, emphasizing the need for simplicity, accountability, stakeholder involvement, and sufficient res ..read more