Volunteer Nation

In this episode, Tobi draws insights from the Volunteer Management Progress Report and discusses the perennial challenges in engaging volunteers, particularly respect and buy-in from leadership. She highlights the importance of power sharing, diverse community engagement activities, and the skill sets needed for successful community collaborations.  Tobi also shares practical tips from listening forums and advocacy campaigns to digital engagement and strategic planning, that can transform your organization’s relationship with its community. This episode is perfect for executive directors and program leaders looking for actionable strategies to build meaningful, lasting partnerships! Full show notes: 152. What Every Nonprofit Executive Should Know About Community Engagement 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 is joined by Alice Glenn, President of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). Tobi and Alice delve into innovative approaches to nonprofit membership and volunteer engagement, particularly within associations, chapters, and membership-based nonprofits.  Alice shares insights into developing volunteer leadership pipelines and modernizing governance models. She emphasizes the importance of aligning volunteer experiences with personal skill development and community impact.  They also explore the crucial role of advocacy and cross-sector partnerships in addressing community needs, highlighting practical strategies for effective volunteer-fueled advocacy, and share guidance on how to attract and retain committed volunteers while adapting to contemporary challenges. Full show notes: 151. Reimagining Nonprofit Membership & Volunteer Engagement with Alice Glenn 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 focuses on nonprofit advocacy, emphasizing the importance of advocacy in uncertain times. Tobi outlines a detailed six-step plan to launch a community-based advocacy program, tailored for organizations that rely on volunteer and community support. She discusses the importance of defining goals, recruiting and training the right volunteers, providing necessary tools and resources, and recognizing and retaining advocates. Tobi also shares the EPIC communications framework from Results.org and encourages nonprofits to take decisive steps to educate and mobilize their communities for advocacy, ensuring their vital role in society is sustained and funded. Full show notes: 150. Launch a Community-based Advocacy Program in Six Steps 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, host Tobi Johnson provides an in-depth discussion on nonprofit advocacy strategies. Tobi talks about the immediate need for nonprofit advocacy and shares five key strategies to effectively engage in advocacy efforts. These strategies include public awareness and education, media and digital advocacy, grassroots mobilization, engaging policymakers without lobbying, and legal and policy advocacy.  The episode emphasizes the importance of involving volunteers in advocacy efforts and provides practical tips on how to engage and train volunteers as advocates!Full show notes: 149. Nonprofit Advocacy Strategies – A Checklist 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 addresses the critical need for nonprofits to engage in advocacy, especially amidst current uncertainties like federal funding chaos. She explains how advocacy's role has diminished over the past 20 years and stresses the importance of nonprofit sectors educating legislators, constituents, and communities about their work.  Offering a basic understanding of nonprofit advocacy versus lobbying, Tobi provides actionable steps and dispels myths around these activities. The episode also highlights the power of engaging volunteers in advocacy and introduces the 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report. Aimed at encouraging nonprofits to take confident advocacy actions, this episode sets the stage for a deeper dive into advocacy tactics in upcoming episodes! Full show notes: 148. Nonprofit Advocacy 101 – Yes You Can! 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 discusses the key volunteer recruitment trends from the 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report. She explores the major challenges non-profit organizations face in recruiting and retaining volunteers, such as time constraints, lack of support, and alignment issues between volunteer roles and community interests. Tobi also emphasizes the importance of tracking marketing metrics to double down on successful tactics and offers insights on how organizations can improve their volunteer engagement efforts! Full show notes: 147. Volunteer Recruitment Trends from Our New Report 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 dives into the art of expanding volunteer roles within nonprofits. Inspired by a recent workshop, she breaks down the essential steps to designing an effective volunteer program that truly meets organizational needs. From setting clear volunteer goals to brainstorming new roles, aligning with volunteer interests, and collaborating with colleagues, Tobi shares a practical, step-by-step approach to unlocking the full potential of volunteer talent. Full show notes: 146. Expanding Volunteer Jobs to Be Done at Your Nonprofit 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 introduces the newly rebranded VolunteerPro Impact Lab, a community dedicated to supporting volunteer-driven organizations in their program development and assessment.  Tobi discusses the enhancements and features of the platform, including the Volunteer Strategy Success Path model, assessment tools, and various training and coaching resources aimed at helping organizations build, grow, and scale their volunteer programs effectively. She also shares insights into strategic visioning, program development, recruitment, retention, and leadership phases crucial for successful volunteer engagement! Full show notes: 145. Build Your Program with the NEW VolunteerPro Volunteer Impact Lab! 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 is joined by the Founder of the Collective Good, Britt Hogue. The pair discuss the importance of bringing a collectivist spirit to nonpartisan volunteer work, especially in divisive politics. Britt shares her experience in organizing intergenerational conversations, and provides practical strategies for managing volunteer conflict, encouraging proactive community building, and integrating collective approaches into volunteer engagement. The discussion emphasizes the value of creating meaningful connections among volunteers and investing in relationship-building to enhance organizational resilience and impact. Full show notes: 144. Bringing a Collectivist Spirit to Nonpartisan Volunteer Work with Britt Hogue 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 the first episode of 2025, Tobi shares her insights on developing an impactful volunteer recruitment flyer. She discusses common problems, such as lack of audience targeting, incomplete journey planning, and ineffective distribution strategies.  Tobi provides practical tips for creating flyers that resonate with specific audiences, plan the entire volunteer journey, and enhance personal connection through trained outreach teams. You’ll also learn about essential flyer content, including goals, impact statements, and the application process, to ensure a cohesive and engaging volunteer recruitment strategy! Full show notes: 143. 3 Big Problems with Your Volunteer Recruitment Flyer 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.