Volunteer Nation

This week, Tobi sits down with Chris Jarvis from Realized Worth to talk about corporate social responsibility (and what that oft-used term really means), as well as how to nurture your volunteers through three stages of commitment, and how volunteers are literally changing the world by serving their communities.   First of all, what the heck is “corporate social responsibility” anyway? There are some often-heard, sometimes obscure terms used when describing a corporate “giving back to the community” focus. CSR, ESG, CR…all these acronyms identify a version of the same idea: companies encouraging employees to serve as volunteers in their local communities, and those same companies donating financial resources in a variety of possible ways.That all sounds great…and corporate social responsibility really IS a fantastic way to connect nonprofits who need support to the people and the corporations who can offer it.  However, not all nonprofit organizations have truly tapped the power and potential of corporate social responsibility in the traditional sense, let alone kept up with how it’s evolving. Tobi and Chris discuss the potential reasons why those CSR service hours (and those financial donations) are so often left on the table.  Full Show Notes: 029-Evolutions in Corporate Social Responsibility with Chris Jarvis - Tobi Johnson & AssociatesThanks 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.

Have you ever considered starting a podcast to tell the world about your organization? Podcast creators can strategically use podcasts to build community around a common interest or goal, create awareness about their organizations, and even raise needed funds for their cause. And, it may not be as hard as you think!  This week, Tobi sits down with Anthony Wilson, founder and host of the Groupfinity Podcast, to talk about ways to do just that.   Full show notes: 028-How Nonprofits Can Use Podcasts to Build Community with Anthony Wilson - Tobi Johnson & AssociatesThanks 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 remember the first time you experienced a sense of community with other people? It may have been a team sport, an academic group, or a faith-based gathering. For Tobi, it was the Norpoint Dashers middle school soccer team! But what exactly made that sense of community so strong? Tobi examines the core ingredients that all healthy communities share and applies those principles to volunteer programs.    Tobi also shares some of the unique challenges and benefits of online communities and shares expert advice on how to build, nurture, and manage your virtual volunteers.Full show notes: 027-Secrets to Building a Sense of Community with Volunteers - Tobi Johnson & AssociatesThanks 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.

What should be included in a volunteer coordinator job description? (And is that even the right title for the job you’re hiring for?)Leaders of volunteers can go by many names…coordinator, manager, supervisor, or director, to name a few. In this week’s podcast, Tobi breaks down the job duties that each title should contain (in an ideal world) and details the most important skills and abilities hiring managers should include in their volunteer coordinator job description. Finding the right person for the right role is key, and a well-written volunteer coordinator job description should include a wide variety of skills – leadership, interpersonal, organizational, tactical, analytical, and team building. Tobi goes over all these in detail to help you design the perfect description for your next hire. Full show notes: 026-Hiring? What to Include in Your Volunteer Coordinator Job Description - Tobi Johnson & AssociatesThanks 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.

Here at VolPro, we’ve been following Beth Kanter for a LONG time – since 2009 when Tobi started her consulting practice (only two years after smart phones first hit the market … and Beth had already been blogging for six years)! Beth is an internationally recognized thought leader and trainer in nonprofit tech, digital transformation, and well-being in the workplace. She is the co-author of the award-winning Happy Healthy Nonprofit: Impact without Burnout and co-author with Allison Fine of the bestselling The Networked Nonprofit. Beth’s first book introduced us to the idea that nonprofit tech was directly linked to the future of sustainability of our space and was the key to unlocking our connections with communities.  In this week’s podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Beth to the Volunteer Nation to talk about her new book and share more about how nonprofit tech is driving change for today’s volunteer-driven organizations.  Full show notes: 025-Nonprofit Tech Transformation + Wellness with Beth Kanter - Tobi Johnson & AssociatesThanks 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.

Tobi gets asked all the time about volunteer recognition and appreciation strategies and tips. And while she can (and has!) shared how to write an effective thank-you letter or create an engaging recognition strategy, real volunteer appreciation is about more than that. It’s about creating a well-run program that meets your volunteer’s core needs.  We need to thank our volunteers for their unique contributions and express our gratitude. But what really keeps volunteers coming back is a well-managed experience where volunteers feel purpose, find community, and get things done.  Full show notes: 024-The Best Volunteer Recognition is a Well-Run ProgramThanks 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.

Tobi is well-known for her big energy and ability to produce high levels of quality content. However, like many nonprofit leaders, Tobi has struggled in the past with feelings of burnout and loss of energy.   She started paying attention and investigating what might help get over the hump, and in this week’s podcast, she’s going to be your crash test dummy! She’s sharing what she knows, and what you can do to build back the energy you may have lost over the past couple of years.  Full show notes: 023-Secrets to Managing Time and EnergyThanks 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 celebrate your successes, large and small?  Most people don’t. We tend to minimize or negate our wins and quickly move on to the next thing.  It can be very easy to only focus on problems, challenges, and goals, but sharing wins with your team reminds both staff and volunteers of all the reasons your organization exists, and all the good your team is accomplishing together every day in big and small ways.  In this week's podcast, Tobi is leading by example and sharing her most cherished wins from her 30+ years in nonprofit leadership and management! Full show notes:  022-My Fave 6 Nonprofit Leadership and Management WinsThanks 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.

A lot has changed in the last two years, and there are likely a lot of reasons why volunteers have not yet returned to your organization. Questions of safety, fear about getting back out there after so much time has passed, doubts about skill and the continued ability to contribute…it can feel like a lot to unpack and attempt to resolve.  However, there are some simple actions you can take to engage volunteers who may have lapsed in service. In week’s podcast, Tobi examines the top reasons why volunteers may be hesitant to return to service and how volunteer leaders can help them overcome those doubts in a compassionate and confident way.  Full show notes: 021-Engage Volunteers with a Win-Back CampaignThanks 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.

Online volunteering has some unique challenges, especially in the areas of community and retention. However, those opportunities can provide great satisfaction and purpose if you approach them the right way. Tobi takes a look at current trends for online volunteer opportunities and gives you 10 tips to make your job posts more effective, productive, and attractive to potential recruits.   Full show notes: 020-How to Design Irresistible Online Volunteer OpportunitiesThanks 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.