Volunteer Nation

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...

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...

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 this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why shared experiences and fun are essential for retention. She shares a story from a recent informal gathering with her own volunteer team and introduces the concept of edutainment, learning combined with entertainment. Tobi also previews the Volapalooza Festival, designed with a music‑festival vib...

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 and instead building connections across your entire community. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, part of the Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johnson is joined by Kristi Sebald, a guest advisor and expert in volunteer and community engagement. Kristi shares how an abundance mindset and intentional coalition building can tran...

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, where over 115,000 not-for-profits operate and most are volunteer-led, best practices for volunteer management must reflect local culture and real-world challenges like low tech adoption and the need for more informal opportunities. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson welcomes Marg McLachlan and Heidi Qu...

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 stay busy managing day-to-day tasks, yet struggle to step into a more visible and strategic role that drives real organizational impact. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, part of the Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johnson sits down with Megan Vixie, a seasoned nonprofit leader, to explore how professionals can grow ...

A slow or confusing volunteer application process can cost organizations more than time. It can lead to missed opportunities, frustrated applicants, and fewer volunteers joining your mission. In this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why many volunteer application systems break down and how small delays, unclear next steps, and overly complicated forms can cause potential volunteers to drop off before they ever get started. She also shares practical ways to identify where your process may ...

Managing volunteers often means juggling a wide range of responsibilities. From responding to emails and coordinating schedules to planning events and maintaining relationships, volunteer leaders frequently feel pulled in many directions at once. In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers regain focus and reduce the sense of constant overwhelm. Drawing from her own nonprofit experience, she explains why the common pressure to “do more with less”...

Volunteer burnout is not always caused by time, workload, or lack of commitment. In many cases, it happens when leaders begin to feel less effective in their roles. As confidence and enjoyment decline, even experienced volunteers may start to disengage or step away. In this episode, Tobi Johnson sits down with leadership performance coach Paul Clarke to discuss new research on why volunteer leaders struggle under pressure and what organizations can do to better support them. They explor...

What if you never had to panic-recruit volunteers again? Scrambling to find 25 volunteers by next week is stressful, reactive, and exhausting. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a smarter approach: build a volunteer pipeline before you need it using simple marketing tools like lead magnets, nurture emails, and even interactive quizzes. Instead of chasing people at the last minute, you’ll learn how to create a steady stream of mission-aligned...

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson continues her deep dive into the future of volunteerism with Part 2 of her trends and predictions series. Building on the first three trends covered in Episode 198, Tobi explores how wellness, technology, data, and evolving models of giving are reshaping how volunteers engage and what leaders need to prepare for next. Inspired by futurist Faith Popcorn’s question, “If you knew everything about tomorrow, what would you d...

In part 2 of our behind-the-scenes series on the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi Johnson returns with Allison Russell, Assistant Professor of Public & Nonprofit Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, for a powerful conversation on practitioner research and what it can teach us about the volunteer engagement profession. Allison steps into the interviewer role again as they dig into what the VMPR revealed over a decade of surveying volunteer engagement leaders and...

As we step into a brand-new year, Tobi takes listeners on a reflective walk through the most popular Volunteer Nation Podcast episodes of 2025, sharing key insights and takeaways from each. Think of this as a Reader’s Digest–style recap of the ideas, strategies, and conversations that resonated most with volunteer engagement leaders over the past year and a powerful resource to help you start 2026 with clarity, connection, and momentum! Full show notes: 195. The Top 10 Volunteer N...