Effective volunteer training is more than checking a box; it builds confident, engaged volunteers who stay longer and deliver greater impact. Yet many organizations rely on long, one-size-fits-all sessions that frustrate volunteers and miss chances to align with staff development.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast – Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johnson welcomes Dana Litwin, volunteer management expert, President of Dana Litwin Consulting, and past president of AL!VE. Dana shares how to move from reactive, siloed training to strategic programs that boost retention, performance, and community connection. She explains why well-trained volunteers become powerful ambassadors for your cause.

Together, they unpack common mistakes like treating volunteer and staff training as fundamentally different, then offer practical strategies for flexible, accessible training from online tools to micro-learning. If you're ready to turn volunteer training from a burden into a strategic advantage, this conversation gives you proven tips and the confidence to get started.

• [00:00] Introduction to Volunteer Training Programs
• [07:01] Dana's Journey into Volunteerism
• [11:38] The Importance of Volunteerism Today
• [15:03] Common Misconceptions in Volunteer Training
• [21:58] Evolving Training Methods for Volunteers
• [25:33] The Importance of Quality in Volunteer Training
• [31:09] The Importance of Intentional Training
• [34:02] Efficiency in Volunteer Training Programs
• [38:24] Pruning Training Content for Effectiveness
• [43:52] Real-World Examples of Effective Training
• [51:30] Practical Steps for Revamping Training Programs
• [55:50] Creating a Positive Culture Around Volunteer Training
• [01:03:42] Final Reflections And Wrap 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Strategy Scorecard™
• Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #033: New Research on Volunteer Funding with Dana Litwin 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #124: Equity Tools for Nonprofits Volunteerism with Faiza Venzant 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #202: Volunteer Events without the Headaches – My Training Takeaways 
• Find Dana on LinkedIn 
• Dana’s Priceless Advice with Volunteers on YouTube
• Dana Litwin Consulting

Volunteer Management Fundamentals Live!

Summer Cohort: June 18 – July 24, 2026

Learn the Essential Frameworks for Attracting and Engaging, Enthusiastic, Committed Volunteers with Less Stress and Greater Confidence. 

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].