Volunteer Nation

111. New Volunteer Orientation: What to Include, What to Leave Out

May 23, 2024

Tobi Johnson, an expert in volunteer management, shares insights on effective new volunteer orientation. She emphasizes addressing both informational and emotional needs, using confidence-building activities and inspirational storytelling. Tips include avoiding information overload, making unapologetic asks, and fostering commitment through thoughtful orientation processes.

24:32

Episode guests

Tobi Johnson

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Balancing informational and emotional needs is crucial in new volunteer orientation for a positive experience.

Including confidence-building activities and socialization opportunities can enhance volunteer commitment and engagement.

Deep dives

Creating a Balanced Orientation Experience

Designing a new volunteer orientation involves a delicate balance of what to include and exclude. It is crucial to understand that volunteers' needs differ from what organizational staff might assume they need. Offering the right blend of information and emotional support in orientation can set the tone for a positive volunteer experience. By focusing on both informational needs, such as logistical questions, and emotional needs, like alleviating social anxiety, organizations can create an engaging and supportive onboarding process for volunteers.

Introduction

3min

Building Commitment Through Thoughtful Volunteer Orientation

9min

Engaging Q&A Sessions and Effective Sign-Ups

5min

Effective Volunteer Training Strategies and Presentation Tips

3min

Confidence and Clear Expectations in Volunteer Orientation

4min

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson delves into the vital topic of new volunteer orientation. Tobi offers detailed insights on what to include and what to avoid, ensuring a successful onboarding process that fosters long-term commitment.

She emphasizes the importance of addressing both informational and emotional needs of volunteers, integrating confidence-building activities, socialization opportunities, and inspirational storytelling. Tobi also shares practical tips on avoiding common training pitfalls like information overload and stresses the importance of making confident, unapologetic asks.

Full show notes: Episode 111. New Volunteer Orientation: What to Include, What to Leave Out

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 WeCare@VolPro.net.

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Volunteer Nation

111. New Volunteer Orientation: What to Include, What to Leave Out

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Creating a Balanced Orientation Experience

Building Confidence and Social Bonds

Avoiding Common Orientation Pitfalls

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts