Ruth Leonard, an expert on volunteer involvement and author of "Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice," joins the conversation to reshape community engagement. They discuss redefining volunteerism by emphasizing choice and intrinsic motivation, separating it from mere unpaid labor. Ruth highlights the importance of open-mindedness in volunteer organizations, fostering safe spaces for diverse opinions, and examining the complexities of volunteer roles and their impact. Their insights aim to enhance collaboration and reimagine the volunteer experience.

Fran Horwich, an expert in volunteer coordination, dives into the heart of intuitive leadership. She shares her experiences in understanding volunteers' motivations and the art of setting professional boundaries. The discussion highlights the transformative power of compassion and social connection, especially in challenging times like the COVID pandemic. With practical tips, they explore balancing gut instincts with data-driven decisions, fostering supportive environments, and enhancing teamwork, making this a must-listen for anyone involved in volunteer management.

Tobi Johnson, an expert in volunteer management, shares 10 interview questions for a perfect match to enhance volunteer retention. She emphasizes understanding motivations, skills, and values, and suggests making interviews conversational and involving volunteers in the process.

Megan Vixie, Chief Engagement Officer, discusses volunteer manager salaries and career paths. They cover professional development, negotiating salaries, job leveling documents, and advocating for fair compensation and opportunities in volunteer engagement roles.

Tobi shares 8 practical ways to simplify volunteering experiences, addressing post-pandemic challenges. Topics include running efficient programs, improving contact methods, offering baby steps for new volunteers, and adding surprise elements to keep volunteers engaged.

Join Ruth Leonard and Rob Jackson as they discuss volunteer recruitment strategies and creating volunteer personas with Tobi at a workshop in England. They touch on the universality of volunteer management challenges, the importance of people-focused approaches, and leveraging modern marketing strategies for volunteer engagement.

Tech entrepreneur Chris Martin from TeamKinetic discusses new volunteer data and tech approaches, including AI, open data, and efficient hour tracking. He shares his journey from PE teacher to entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of advanced technologies in volunteer engagement. TeamKinetic aims to simplify volunteering through innovative technologies, emphasizing the need for the sector to adopt tech for seamless participation.

Experienced event planner Tobi Johnson shares key tips on organizing engaging volunteer events. Topics include in-person gatherings, setting clear goals, inclusivity, great food, creating a sense of belonging, event logistics, entertainment, and evaluating event success. Tune in for actionable strategies to make your volunteer events memorable!

Tobi Johnson, expert in volunteer management, discusses the importance of leadership support for volunteer managers, the challenges they face, and the correlation between leadership backing and job satisfaction. The podcast emphasizes the need for a pro-volunteer culture to boost organizational sustainability and community engagement.

Delving into volunteerism stats for 2024, the podcast discusses the impact of COVID-19 on volunteer capacity, challenges in recruitment & retention, trends in active volunteer numbers & hours. It highlights the importance of understanding organizational goals in volunteer engagement and the need for evolving strategies to manage volunteer programs effectively.