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Volunteer Nation: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA
Nonprofit leadership author, coach, and expert Tobi Johnson shares weekly tips to help charities build, grow, and scale exceptional volunteer teams. Discover how your nonprofit can effectively coordinate volunteers who are reliable, equipped, and ready to help you bring about BIG change for the better. Rather than continuing to “do more with less,” achieve abundance for your organization by engaging community talent that helps you do more with more. Society is evolving and so, too, is volunteerism. With over 25 years of experience working in nonprofits, public sector agencies, and grassroots campaigns, Tobi is known for her modern “big hat” thinking and straight talk about what it takes to achieve success in today’s world. You will learn how to coordinate volunteers, improve the volunteer experience, recruit volunteers, appreciate volunteers, and do it all more efficiently with the right volunteer management software and digital tools. It’s a mix of interviews and solo shows you’re not going to want to miss. So, if you’re ready to ditch the stress and harness the power of people to fuel your good work, you’re in exactly the right place.
Latest Episodes
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- Jul 16, 202630 min
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 be working on instead, and how you can make the most of your own downtime. Tobi also reveals her major book project for volunteer leaders, designed to help volunteers build confidence, reduce stress, and make a bigger impact. Plus, she curates five essential leadership episodes from the archives for you to enjoy during the hiatus....
- Jul 9, 20261h 2m
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 interviews Catherine Huckaby, author of Nobody Starts Ready, about the power of volunteer leadership stories. Catherine shares real examples of volunteers who started with self-doubt and grew into community leaders—and how their stories can inspire others to get involved. You'll learn why lowering participation barriers is essential, how storytel...
- Jul 2, 202653 min
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 Tobi Johnson to break down how to access Google Grants, target the right keywords, create landing pages that convert, and work effectively with your marketing team. You'll learn about Google Trends, keyword research, and how to stay compliant so you don't lose the grant. If you're ready to stop guessing and start attracting volun...
- Jun 25, 20261h 1m
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 position descriptions that build equity, deepen participation, and repair power dynamics. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, you'll learn common pitfalls to avoid, how to move from transactional to relational engagement, and why self‑care and boundary setting matter for long‑term success. If you're ready to become a t...
- Jun 18, 202653 min
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 tracking, and ongoing coaching can transform tension into teamwork. You'll learn why volunteer‑staff relations are a long‑term strategic investment, how to mediate conflicts with compassion, and practical ways to build trust across your team. If you're ready to reduce burnout and boost collaboration, this episode is for you. Improvin...
- Jun 11, 202637 min
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, Tobi Johnson draws on 25+ years of experience to share the essential skills she wishes she had from day one. You'll learn why self‑regulation and emotional resilience are critical for preventing burnout and leading with clarity. She also breaks down strategic planning that connects program design, metrics, and budgets, includ...
- Jun 4, 202638 min
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 hidden assets: relational capital, advocacy reach, donor pipelines, and community credibility. She covers practical steps to write clear role descriptions, reduce staff‑volunteer tension, and stay legally compliant, from U.S. Department of Labor standards to local laws. If fuzzy definitions are holding your organization back, t...
- May 28, 202631 min
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 write meaningful appreciation: specific actions, impact, acknowledgment, and gratitude. She also offers creative ways to recognize remote volunteers, scale appreciation, and build a culture of genuine gratitude. If you want volunteers to feel valued and stay engaged, this episode gives you an easy, actionable formula for better t...
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About Volunteer Nation
Nonprofit leadership author, coach, and expert Tobi Johnson shares weekly tips to help charities build, grow, and scale exceptional volunteer teams. Discover how your nonprofit can effectively coordinate volunteers who are reliable, equipped, and ready to help you bring about BIG change for the better. Rather than continuing to “do more with less,” achieve abundance for your organization by engaging community talent that helps you do more with more. Society is evolving and so, too, is volunteerism. With over 25 years of experience working in nonprofits, public sector agencies, and grassroots campaigns, Tobi is known for her modern “big hat” thinking and straight talk about what it takes to achieve success in today’s world. You will learn how to coordinate volunteers, improve the volunteer experience, recruit volunteers, appreciate volunteers, and do it all more efficiently with the right volunteer management software and digital tools. It’s a mix of interviews and solo shows you’re not going to want to miss. So, if you’re ready to ditch the stress and harness the power of people to fuel your good work, you’re in exactly the right place.
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