In this episode, we’re ditching the spreadsheets and talking about how the right volunteer management software can actually expand your organization’s reach, add value, and maybe even attract new volunteers. 

This week’s guest is Tony Goodrow of Better Impact. With years of experience and a wealth of knowledge, Tony shares nine good reasons to replace your manual scheduling and data tracking with dedicated software, and he addresses how to overcome some of the barriers holding you back from taking that leap. Tobi shares her experience as a local volunteer in her community, and the difference good volunteer management software makes from that perspective.  

We’re addressing budget concerns, fear of change, and what software automation really means for volunteer managers. (Hint: it helps, not hurts!)  

If volunteer management software seems a little scary, or you’ve wondered how to take that next step, this podcast is for you!
 
Full show notes: 004 - Why Volunteer Management Software Matters with Tony Goodrow

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 week’s episode, we’re talking about the scarcity mindset, how it blocks your potential, and how it can affect your volunteer program.  

At nonprofits, a scarcity mindset can pervade how budgets, resources, and staffing are approached. It blocks an organization’s ability to grow volunteer involvement and scale its impact. It can affect our self-care and can result in burnout and turnover.  

Because it is so pervasive, it can also be very hard to pinpoint. It simply becomes part of an organization’s culture and way of being.  It feels “normal.” 

In this episode, Tobi will help you identify facets of the scarcity mindset with a Scarcity Self-Assessment, including nine common ways limiting beliefs might be showing up in your volunteer program or organization.  

She will also give you five practical ways to counteract scarcity mindsets by cultivating an attitude of abundance. Equipped with a fresh perspective and enabling beliefs, you will be better equipped to maximize the full potential of your volunteer team and get greater traction on your big goals. You will transform scarcity into abundance. 

You might recognize some of your own thought patterns in this episode but be encouraged! Moving from a scarcity mindset to abundance is possible, and this episode will help inspire you along your journey.
 
Full show notes: 003 - Moving From a Scarcity Mindset To Abundance

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].

Welcome back to Volunteer Nation!  This week we’re talking about how to recruit volunteers to your organization by build a following first.  

In this episode, you'll learn specific volunteer recruitment tips on how to grow and engage with your community. You’ll hear some surprising stats on today’s social media engagement rates (they’re probably not what you thought!) that can help you use your time wisely. 

Also, you’ll get several ideas for list-building “freebies” (or “lead magnets”), and we offer six specific examples of types of freebies you can use pique the interest of potential volunteers and education them about your good cause so that you can recruit volunteers more easily from a ready pool of people who already know, like, and trust you. 

Finally, to help you plan your entire communications strategy to recruit volunteers, we suggest five different types of content you can share with your list on a regular basis t continue to cultivate their interest in joining you during your next volunteer recruitment call to action.

Full show notes: 002 - How To Recruit Volunteers by Building a Following First

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].

Welcome to Volunteer Nation!  I’m your host Tobi Johnson and after over 25 years working in nonprofits, public sector agencies, and grassroots campaigns there’s one thing I’ve learned – you can’t go it alone. If you truly want to bring about BIG change for the better, you need a strong, dedicated community in your corner. But it isn’t always easy, is it? 

That’s why I created this podcast. Each week I share practical tips and advice to help your cause, charity, campaign, or company build, grow, and scale exceptional volunteer talent. If you’re ready to harness the power of people to fuel your good work, you’re in exactly the right place.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a significant impact on volunteer-involving organizations and on the rates of volunteerism around the world. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In this episode, I share how sometimes a bad thing can be a catalyst for a better way. I also share eight reasons volunteers are important, if not essential, in today's world.
 
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Full show notes: 001 - Welcome to the Volunteer Nation Podcast

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].