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, and future support. Yet, volunteer offboarding is often overlooked or treated as an administrative task rather than a meaningful opportunity for connection.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, part of the Impact Lab POV Series, host Tobi Johnson sits down with volunteer engagement expert Ruth Leonard, who also serves as a Guest Advisor for VolunteerPro, to explore how intentional offboarding can strengthen organizational culture and foster long-term loyalty. Together, they reframe offboarding as a relationship-building process that honors volunteers’ contributions while keeping the door open for future involvement.

Ruth shares insights on the importance of transparency around volunteer tenure, the role of rituals and recognition in creating dignified transitions, and how thoughtful exit interviews can preserve valuable knowledge. The conversation also highlights the benefits of maintaining alumni connections and celebrating service as a way to reinforce human dignity and community trust.

Listeners will discover practical strategies to design meaningful volunteer exits, shift their mindset from transactional to relational engagement, and ensure that every volunteer’s journey ends with appreciation and purpose. Ruth also offers a preview of her upcoming seminar focused on helping volunteers leave well while staying connected.

If you’re looking to enhance retention, protect your organization’s reputation, and create lasting relationships with your volunteers, this episode provides the inspiration and actionable guidance to get started.

Full show notes: 210 – Impact Lab POV – Better Volunteer Offboarding with Ruth Leonard

Volunteer offboarding – Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction to Volunteer Nation Podcast
• [03:33] Ruth Leonard's Journey into Volunteerism
• [05:24] The Importance of Volunteerism Today
• [08:10] Understanding Volunteer Offboarding
• [12:51] The Significance of Proper Offboarding
• [15:50] Consequences of Poor Offboarding Practices
• 19:10] Practical Steps for Effective Offboarding
• [23:51] Creating a Culture of Connection
• [27:54] Mindset Shifts for Volunteer Leaders
• [30:06] Looking Ahead: Future of Volunteerism

Helpful Links 

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #122: Rethinking Community Involvement with Ruth Leonard 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #140: Volunteer Performance Issues – How to (Finally) Have that Chat! 
• Find Ruth on LinkedIn 
• Get Ruth’s Latest Book - Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice  
• Volunteer Involvement: an Introduction to Theory and Practice 
• The Ethical Considerations of Framing Volunteers as Consumers or Customers | Engage Journal 

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Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.  

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].