Volunteer Nation

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into why it’s time to move beyond traditional volunteer metrics like hours logged and retention rates. She unpacks the difference between outputs and outcomes, sharing practical examples and actionable strategies for measuring and showcasing the true impact volunteers have on communities and organizations.  Tobi explains how tracking outcomes can inspire volunteers, improve program quality, strengthen recruitment messaging, guide strategic decisions, and demonstrate real value to stakeholders. You’ll also learn how to create visual graphics to communicate these outcomes! Full show notes: 175. Outputs vs Outcomes: Why Counting Hours Isn’t Enough Outputs vs Outcomes - Episode Highlights [02:47] - Proving Volunteer Impact [03:37] - Key Metrics to Track [06:14] - The Importance of Outcome Metrics [09:41] - Communicating Impact Effectively [13:58] - Why Volunteer Outcomes Matter [13:58] - Why Volunteer Outcomes Are Essential [18:36] - Communicating Volunteer Impact [22:24] - Improving Program Quality with Outcomes [25:40] - Strengthening Recruitment Messaging [28:42] - Supporting Strategic Decision Making [31:53] - Creating Visual Impact Graphics  Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab Volunteer Nation Episode #135: How to Use Video Storytelling to Connect with Aaron Walton and Emmanuel LeGrair  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.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares expert tips on how to craft volunteer emails that truly connect and convert. From attention-grabbing subject lines to warm, welcoming salutations and easy-to-read content, Tobi breaks down the key elements that make emails more engaging and effective. You’ll learn why personalization matters, how to structure your emails for maximum impact, and the small details, like a creative sign-off or a compelling P.S. that can make a big difference. Plus, Tobi offers practical strategies like A/B testing your subject lines, using email tools for smarter communication, and ditching the dull bureaucratic tone that turns readers off. Whether you're trying to recruit new volunteers or keep your current team engaged, this episode will help you write emails that get opened, read, and acted on. Full show notes: 174. Write Volunteer Emails Volunteers Actually Read (and Love) Volunteer Emails - Episode Highlights [01:00] - The Importance of Volunteer Emails [02:53] - Crafting Effective Subject Lines [06:29] - Creating Friendly Salutations [08:13] - Writing Readable Body Copy [15:20] - Creative Closings and the Power of PS Helpful Links  Volunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab  Volunteer Nation Episode #173 - Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away?  Subject Line Checker Use AI to Improve Emails 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.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares valuable insights on how nonprofits can improve volunteer websites to attract and engage more volunteers effectively. Addressing common issues such as unclear value propositions, excessive choice options, stock imagery, and poor mobile experiences, Tobi discusses practical strategies to create a compelling and user-friendly volunteer hub.   She emphasizes the importance of clear calls to action, authentic visuals, social proof, and urgency to convert visitors into active volunteers. With actionable tips and a focus on modern user behavior, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide to optimizing nonprofit websites for better volunteer recruitment! Full show notes: 173. Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away? Volunteer Website - Episode Highlights [01:04] - The Importance of Volunteer Websites [02:42] - Adapting to Modern Content Consumption [04:33] - Creating Effective Volunteer Hub Pages [09:14] - Common Issues with Volunteer Websites [15:52] - Improving Volunteer Website Conversions [26:21] - Social Proof and Trust Signals [28:59] - Creating Urgency and Clear Navigation [34:13] - Ensuring a Good User Experience [39:41] - Final Tips Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab Google Analytics Hotjar ScoreApp Volunteer Nation Episode #5: 8 Ways Your Nonprofit Website is Failing to Attract Volunteers  Volunteer Nation Episode #59 – 6 Must Have Strategies to Recruit Volunteers Using Your Website Volunteer Nation Episode #20: How to Design Irresistible Online Volunteer Opportunities 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.

Do you find it uncomfortable giving feedback to volunteers? You're not alone!  In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson walks you through how to deliver clear, confident feedback to your volunteers in a way that fosters growth, maintains trust, and avoids discomfort. Whether it's reinforcing great behavior or correcting issues, Tobi shares real examples and practical scripts you can start using right away. You'll learn the difference between corrective, confirming, and the coercive feedback you should avoid at all costs. Plus, Tobi explains how a little preparation and a whole lot of clarity can make all the difference in your volunteer management! Full show notes: 172. How to Give Clear Volunteer Feedback with Confidence Volunteer Feedback - Episode Highlights [01:00] – Why Feedback Feels So Hard [03:20] – Corrective Feedback: What It Is and How to Use It [07:30] – Confirming Feedback: The Power of Positivity [14:00] – The Feedback to Avoid: Coercive Feedback [20:00] – How Coercion Damages Culture [22:30] – Better Alternatives to Coercive Feedback [23:50] – Final Thoughts: Giving Feedback with Confidence Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report VolunteerPro Impact Lab Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job  Volunteer Nation Episode #171: Practical Community Building Tips for Your Volunteer Team Volunteer Nation Episode #140 - Volunteer Performance Issues - How to (Finally) Have that Chat!  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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the heart of what makes a volunteer team truly thrive: community. Drawing from both personal experience and well-established sociological principles, Tobi explores five essential pillars that foster a sense of belonging and connection among volunteers and between volunteers and staff. This episode is a must-listen for volunteer leaders who want to create a more collaborative, motivated, and mission-driven team. Whether you're just getting started or looking to reinvigorate your program, you’ll walk away with simple, actionable steps to strengthen your community and boost engagement. Full show notes: 171. Practical Community Building Tips for Your Volunteer Team Community Building - Episode Highlights [04:36] - The Importance of Community in Volunteer Organizations [05:31] - Five Pillars of Community Building [07:23] - Pillar 1: Membership [10:01] - Pillar 2: Influence [12:35] - Pillar 3: Integration and Fulfillment of Needs [14:37] - Break and Resource Promotion [17:46] - Pillar 4: Shared Emotional Connection [22:13] - Pillar 5: Shared Responsibility and Commitment Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab  Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job  Volunteer Nation Episode #164: Moving from Volunteer Compliance to Building Your Nonprofit Community  Episode #138: Building Community in an Uncertain (and Sometimes Scary) World  Episode #027: Secrets to Building a Sense of Community with Volunteers  McMillan, D. W., & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6–23 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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the key findings from the Giving USA 2025 report and uncovers the powerful link between volunteerism and philanthropy. Tobi explores how individual donors and volunteer leaders are shaping the future of nonprofit fundraising, and why community support has never been more essential. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, volunteer coordinator, or board member, you'll walk away with actionable tips for harnessing the power of volunteers to boost giving and deepen your organization’s impact. Full show notes: 170. My Top Takeaways from Giving USA 2025 Giving USA - Episode Highlights [01:36] - Introduction to Philanthropy and Volunteerism [03:07] - Key Insights from the Giving USA 2025 Report [06:17] - Deep Dive into Philanthropy Data [10:44] - Volunteerism's Role in Philanthropy [24:10] - Engaging Younger Generations in Philanthropy [28:06] - Breaking Down Silos for Better Community Engagement  Helpful LinksVolunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab  Volunteer Nation Episode #71: Partnering with Funders to Support Volunteer Engagement with Jane Justis & Betsy McFarland  Volunteer Nation Episode #158: Nonprofit Capacity Building with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond  Volunteer Nation Episode #60: Giving Circles and Collective Philanthropy with Sara Lomelin  Volunteer Nation Episode #163: New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo  VolunteerPro Blog, 5 Surprising Myths About Volunteers and Donors  Giving USA 2025  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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the essential human needs that drive a meaningful and rewarding volunteer experience—safety, connection, and purpose. Tobi explores how creating a predictable, emotionally safe environment lays the foundation for trust. She explains why fostering strong peer connections is just as crucial as delivering information, and how helping volunteers see the direct impact of their efforts brings deeper meaning to their service. Full show notes: 169. How to Meet 3 Core Volunteer Needs Right from the Start Volunteer Needs - Episode Highlights [03:03] - The Emotional Needs of Volunteers [06:21] - Core Human Needs: Safety, Connection, and Meaning [10:54] - Meeting Volunteer’s Safety [18:36] - Meeting Volunteer’s Connection [24:07] - Meeting Volunteer’s Meaning  Helpful Links  Volunteer Management Progress Report VolunteerPro Impact Lab Volunteer Nation Episode #166: Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework Volunteer Nation Podcast 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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson addresses a persistent and deeply rooted challenge in the nonprofit sector: the lack of buy-in and active support for volunteers across entire organizations—not just within volunteer departments. Drawing from the VolunteerPro Impact Lab seminar and a decade of data from the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi urges nonprofit executives to reframe volunteer support as a staff performance issue, not a matter of personal "buy-in." She shares practical strategies for building a culture where volunteers are valued, supported, and integrated throughout all levels of an organization. If your nonprofit depends on volunteer talent, this episode is essential listening. Full show notes: 168. Note to Nonprofit Execs - Supporting Volunteers is Everyone's Job Supporting Volunteers - Episode Highlights [02:00] - Why most staff don’t see volunteer support as part of their role [08:00] - The systemic issues behind poor staff engagement with volunteers [12:00] - Why the issue isn’t just buy-in—it’s employee performance [14:00] - The need for clear expectations and accountability from leadership [15:00] - The 4 pillars of employee performance [19:00] - The power of mindset: choosing abundance over scarcity [21:00] - Leadership responsibilities for building a volunteer-inclusive culture [22:00] - The invisibility of volunteerism in strategic conversations  Helpful Links VolunteerPro Impact Lab  Volunteer Management Progress Report Volunteer Nation Episode #133 – My Secrets to Building Buy In & Reducing Resistance to Change Volunteer Nation Episode #009: Helping Nonprofit Employees See the Value of Volunteers 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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson is joined by Sam Fankuchen, founder and CEO of Golden, about how nonprofit organizations can stay resilient and keep civic engagement alive amid uncertainty, disasters, and radical funding cuts.  They discuss current stresses in the nonprofit sector, particularly around funding uncertainties, and share practical tips for organizations to pivot and adapt their missions to serve community needs effectively. Sam introduces Golden's $500 million in-kind donation of software to support volunteer management and highlights the importance of using technology to streamline operations, engage volunteers, and meet today's evolving demands.  Full show notes: 167. Keeping Civic Engagement Alive Despite Funding Cuts with Sam Fankuchen Civic Engagement - Episode Highlights [06:18] – Sam’s powerful 9/11 story and what catalyzed his civic journey [13:00] – Early barriers to volunteering as a teen [16:55] – Discovery of social entrepreneurship at Stanford [20:28] – What volunteering really is, beyond traditional definitions [24:22] – Global volunteerism, SDGs, and why civic action still matters [33:45] – Strategy pivot: How to pursue your mission in uncertain times [43:15] – Golden’s $500M in-kind software donation [47:10] – A 3-step framework for mission pivots [51:38] – The ripple effect of funding changes on the entire ecosystem [56:20] – How to better align your volunteer model with community need [1:03:25] – What makes a great volunteer experience (and what Gen Z expects) [1:09:15] – Three tips for tech-resistant organisations Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report VolunteerPro Blog Post: Teen Volunteering: How to Actually Engage Young People Volunteer Nation Episode #165: New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo Volunteer Nation Episode #116: New Ways of Thinking About Volunteer Data & Tech with Chris Martin Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Nonprofit Layoff Tracker Charity Navigator List of Charities Impacted by USAID Cuts  United Nation Sustainable Development Goals Golden Find Sam on LinkedIn  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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson shares a simple yet powerful four-step framework to help you train volunteers more effectively. Drawing on decades of experience in instructional design and facilitation, Tobi breaks down what makes training truly impactful and what to avoid. Whether you're building a new training from scratch or refreshing your current approach, this episode will help you streamline your process, boost volunteer confidence, and focus on what really matters: preparing volunteers to take meaningful action. Full show notes: 166. Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework Train Volunteers - Episode Highlights [01:19] – Tobi’s Experience as a Trainer [03:41] – Why Volunteer Training Often Misses the Mark [04:33] – Before You Begin Training: Ask This Question [06:01] – Three Types of Performance Gaps [13:19] – Tobi’s 4-Step Volunteer Training Framework Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab Volunteer Nation Episode #012: Training Volunteers What I Wish I’d Known [FREE] Volunteer Skills & Training Feedback Form  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.