The Engaged Volunteer Podcast

Meet Karina Herold, Vice President of Events at the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission. With the city of Los Angeles set to welcome some of the biggest events worldwide over the next 10 years including The Super Bowl and The Olympic Games, there are no shortages of volunteer opportunities for Angelino’s - as Karina refers to them. In this episode of the podcast we take a look at the unique nature of host cities and the important social, economic and cultural role that they play in attracting major events around the world. With thousands of volunteers required to support these major events, Karina discusses how the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission, engage with their communities through volunteer opportunities to create experiences unlike any other. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Meet Mike Nishi! COO of Chicago Event Management responsible for delivering one of the cities most beloved events - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Mike’s love for the Chicago Marathon dates back to 82, where he first volunteered for the event back in high school. In a tough year for all, but particularly the mass participation industry, Mike shares with us the highs and lows of 2020 including the unique ways in which they have been able to engage with the volunteers during lockdowns and the important role that technology has played in enabling them to do so. In this podcast, Mike also discusses the important role volunteers play in creating a lasting legacy when it comes to environmental and social change within a community. With 45,000 participants and 12,000 volunteers alone, Mike highlights how organizations can and should consider education and training as a means not only to enhance the event experience but to give back to communities in meaningful ways. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Today, we are joined by the fantastic Amanda Jenkins, Senior Manager of FIBA Oceania. Her passion for sport and some great initial volunteer opportunities kick started Amanda’s journey in sports and event management, which has seen her work for some of the most prestigious events within Australia. During this podcast, Amanda and I chat about what it's like to work for one of the world’s most popular sporting bodies and how FIBA manages to connect with their volunteers throughout Asia Pacific including how to manage the cultural complexities of a diverse workforce. With the Women’s World Cup set to take place in Sydney in 2022, Amanda discusses the important role that volunteers play in delivering large scale events and also outlines the importance of providing career opportunities and training to enhance the volunteer experience. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by the passionate, Elke Koehnke - Volunteer turned Head of Volunteers and Workforce for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games. After volunteering at the FIFA World Cup in Germany and having a once in a lifetime experience managing VVIPs in her hometown of Hamburg, Elke decided to start a new career in the sports and events arena, following some of the biggest events around the world to manage their volunteers. In this podcast, Elke shares her insights into her time spent managing volunteers in the Middle East and how patience and an understanding of different cultures only enhances your volunteer management program. Elke also chats through her planning process ahead of the Special Olympics World Games and shares her insights into the best ways to engage your volunteers so that they get the most out of their experience. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Chris Randle! Regional Director of IRONMAN in New Zealand. Not many event professionals can say they kick started their career at the Olympic Games but after a leap of faith and a impromptu career change, Chris did just that. Since his first role as a project manager at the London Olympic Games in 2012, Chris has gone on to experience and enjoy the ‘events buzz’ at some of the world’s premier mass participation events. During this podcast, Chris and I chat about how IRONMAN manages to engage with their volunteers year on year, including the strategies they have implemented to combat cancellations and postments as a result of COVID-19. Chris also shares his insights into IRONMAN’s unique partnership program for volunteers, highlighting the ways in which sponsors can provide a great opportunity to enhance the volunteer experience to increase engagement, retention and overall volunteer satisfaction. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Today, we are joined by the vibrant, Bron Parry. A lover of sports in general, Bron has spent her career striving to ensure that like any good coach, her volunteers feel valued and a part of the team. In this chat, we chat about the important role that sport plays within a community and the opportunities this creates for engagement in the form of volunteering. We discuss the importance of acknowledging and valuing volunteers as part of the workforce and the strategies that can be employed to ensure that your volunteers are engaged and retained. This podcast also touches on the impacts of COVID. As the operator of a contracting business herself, Bron talks about the importance of staying positive during these challenging times and how now more than ever we need to be flexible and open to new opportunities. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Taryn Evans - Workforce Planning Manager at Melbourne Olympic Parks. With a passion for sport and entertainment, Taryn has worked alongside some of Melbourne’s most treasured events including The Melbourne Cup and The Australian Open just to name a few. In this podcast, Taryn and I take a closer look at what it means to be a good leader and how through learned experience (both good and bad) leadership can be harnessed to ensure that you get the most out of you and your team. As we explore the idea of the ‘experience business’, Taryn shares her insights into why it’s so important to be open to new experiences and follow your gut when it comes to finding your passion - you never know what opportunities this may present! If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Today, we are joined by Ayden Shaw - Community Engagement Manager at Disability, Sport and Recreation. It's hard not to like Ayden. His passion for life and willingness to embrace and create new opportunities for himself has seen him become a respected young leader in community engagement amongst his peers. In this chat, we chat about the importance of volunteering when it comes to personal and professional development and the willingness to embrace opportunities and the challenges that these may present, giving yourself permission to fail. With experience working with the underprivileged including refugees and those with a disability, this podcast focuses on finding your passion, embracing opportunities and connecting with people in meaningful ways. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Tami Richter - Director of Events, Volunteers, Staffing and Resources at one of the world’s biggest events, SXSW. A proud Texan, Tami started her journey with SXSW 18 years ago as a volunteer and has never looked back. On this episode of the podcast, Tami takes us through her top tips for managing volunteers from educating stakeholders through to valuing and rewarding your volunteers including the need for being open to criticism and change to ensure that you and your volunteers are getting the most out of your volunteer management program. As one of the first events cancelled as a result of COVID-19, Tami also discusses the ways in which SXSW are remaining engaged with their volunteers including introducing them to broader opportunities within the community. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Lisa Urban - Director of the Community Ambassador Program at Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Ever wondered how one of the world’s biggest events manages their volunteer management program? Well wonder no more! On this episode of the podcast we are privileged to get an inside, step by step look into what it takes to deliver one of the most celebrated events globally. From the unique nature of Sports Commissions in the US and what the Super Bowl means from a community engagement point of view, through to how to recruit, screen and train over 10,000 volunteers, this podcast is packed full of tips and learnings for best practice volunteer engagement. As events globally are now forced to implement real changes to ensure that their staff, volunteers and participants feel safe from COVID-19, we also discuss the introduction of online training sessions and the importance of communication when it comes to COVID safe practices. This podcast was recorded remotely so we do apologise for the broken audio at times. Here’s hoping that these podcasts can be recorded in person sooner rather than later. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.