In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Samantha Barlow onto the show to talk about new research on the benefits of volunteering. They delve into the benefits for both volunteers and communities, the evolving role of volunteers, and the success of Human Appeal's volunteer program. 

Key talking points include community volunteering, emotional satisfaction, professional development, and the innovative use of technology. Samantha also shares insights from Human Appeal's recent study and their strategies for volunteer appreciation and engagement! 

Full show notes: 123. New Research on the Benefits of Volunteering with Samantha Barlow 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

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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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Ruth Leonard back onto the show and delve into rethinking community involvement, specifically talking about the key themes from Ruth's book, Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. 

The pair explore critical reflections on volunteerism, the importance of redefining volunteer engagement, and practical insights for fostering and managing volunteer relationships. The conversation covers the evolving role of volunteers, barriers to engagement, and the impact of volunteer actions on communities.  

Full show notes: 122. Rethinking Community Involvement with Ruth Leonard

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

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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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Fran Horwich onto the show to discuss intuitive leadership in volunteer coordination. Fran shares stories from her extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of understanding volunteers' personal motivations and the necessity of professional boundary setting.  

The pair also provide practical tips for integrating intuitive leadership into volunteer programs, balancing data with gut feelings, and ultimately enhancing teamwork, morale, and community connection. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer coordinator or new to volunteer management, this conversation offers valuable insights into the human side of leading volunteer talent. 
Full show notes: 121. Intuitive Leadership in Volunteer Coordination with Fran Horwich 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson shares 10 volunteer interview questions for a perfect match to ensure a good fit between the volunteers and the organization's roles, tasks, and mission.  

She emphasizes the significance of understanding volunteers' motivations, skills, and values to enhance retention and create an enjoyable volunteering experience. Tobi also highlights the benefits of conducting tours, making interviews conversational, and how you can involve volunteers in the process!  

Full show notes: 120. 10 Volunteer Interview Questions for a Perfect Match 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, host Tobi Johnson interviews Megan Vixie, Chief Engagement Officer at Beach Cities Health District, about volunteer manager salary levels and career paths. They discuss the importance of volunteerism, Megan's journey in volunteer engagement, and the professional career pathway survey conducted by the Association for Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE).  

The pair explore strategies for negotiating salaries and benefits, the importance of professional development, the creation of a job leveling document to advocate for volunteer engagement professionals, as well as highlighting actionable insights for both volunteer managers and organizational leaders. 

Full show notes: 119. Volunteer Manager Salary & Career Paths with Megan Vixie 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi shares eight practical ways to make volunteering experiences much easier! She addresses the post-pandemic challenges of re-engaging volunteers and emphasizes the need for convenience and efficiency.  

Tobi covers topics such as running a more efficient program, improving contact methods, offering baby steps for new volunteers, and incorporating surprise and delight elements to keep volunteers engaged and satisfied. This episode provides actionable insights to reduce barriers and improve volunteer retention for your non-profit organization!  

Full show notes: 118. 8 Ways to Make Volunteering Experiences Much Easier 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi offers a unique format as she travels to England to present a workshop with the Association of Volunteer Managers, sponsored by Team Kinetic. The workshop, titled 'Beyond the Big Help Out: How to Recruit Your Volunteer Dream Team with a Solid Plan for Action,' focuses on volunteer recruitment, creating volunteer personas, and effective messaging strategies. 

Tobi shares insights from participants and hosts a debrief session with Ruth Leonard and Rob Jackson. Key discussions include the universality of volunteer management challenges, the importance of people-focused approaches over processes, and leveraging modern marketing strategies to boost volunteer engagement.  

Full show notes: 117. Beyond the Big Help Out with Ruth Leonard & Rob Jackson 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson is in Manchester, England, speaking with Chris Martin from TeamKinetic. They explore new ways of thinking about volunteer data and tech, covering topics such as the role of AI, open data, reusable personal credentials, and techniques for efficiently tracking volunteer hours. 
Chris shares his journey from being a physical education teacher to becoming a tech entrepreneur, detailing how TeamKinetic aims to simplify volunteering through innovative technologies. The discussion highlights the need for the volunteer sector to adopt advanced technologies to streamline volunteer engagement and encourage seamless participation, as well as TeamKinetic’s service model and their commitment to social good.
Full show notes: 116. New Ways of Thinking About Volunteer Data & Tech with Chris Martin  

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, host Tobi Johnson offers a comprehensive guide on planning successful volunteer events. Tobi shares her insights and favorite tips on how to organize events that engage and bond volunteers, making them feel valued and connected.
Drawing from her experiences attending various events and conferences, she emphasizes the importance of in-person gatherings, setting clear goals, providing great food, and creating a sense of belonging. The episode also covers practical advice on inclusivity, effective invitations, event logistics, entertainment, and evaluating the success of your events. Tune in for actionable strategies to make your volunteer events truly memorable!
Full show notes: 115 - Your Quick Guide to Amazing Volunteer Events

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

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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].

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 organizational sustainability and community engagement. 

Full show notes: 114 - Volunteerism Statistics for 2024: Insights from Our Latest Research - Part 2 

2026 is flying by. Still have doubts about your volunteer strategy? Join Tobi Johnson's Game Changers Q&A on Aug 27. Free registration. Get clarity.

Register now

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].