Volunteer Nation
Nonprofit leadership author, coach, and expert Tobi Johnson shares weekly tips to help charities build, grow, and scale exceptional volunteer teams. Discover how your nonprofit can effectively coordinate volunteers who are reliable, equipped, and ready to help you bring about BIG change for the better. Rather than continuing to “do more with less,” achieve abundance for your organization by engaging community talent that helps you do more with more. Society is evolving and so, too, is volunteerism. With over 25 years of experience working in nonprofits, public sector agencies, and grassroots campaigns Tobi is known for her modern “big hat” thinking and stra...
160. Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 1 with Jenni Field
In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson sits down with leadership and communications expert Jenni Field for an insightful conversation about what it really takes to lead with credibility in the nonprofit world.
Jenni shares practical, research-backed strategies for building trust, fostering supportive team cultures, and leading with clarity—especially during times of change. Drawing from her extensive experience and her latest book, she unpacks how values-driven leadership can guide organizations through uncertainty and strengthen internal culture.
This is part one of a two-part series you won’t want to miss!
Full show no...
159. How to Hire a Future Proof Volunteer Coordinator
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down exactly what it takes to hire a future proof volunteer coordinator who can lead with confidence and adaptability. Given how vital this role is in representing your organization and engaging your volunteers, hiring the right person matters more than ever!
Tobi walks you through 8 essential steps to build a strong hiring foundation. From understanding volunteer coordination best practices and deciding if the position should be paid or volunteer, to writing a compelling job description and offering a fair wage. She also dives into how to a...
158. Nonprofit Capacity Building with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson sits down with Diana Villarreal and Gail Cavallaro from the Community Foundation for greater Richmond to explore how strategic volunteer engagement is shaping the future of nonprofits.
Diana and Gail share the foundation’s mission and walk us through its inspiring history, along with the wide range of programs designed to support nonprofit growth at every level—from individuals to entire networks.
Whether you're a nonprofit leader, volunteer manager, or simply passionate about community building, this episode offers valuable insights into what’s possible when phi...
157. A Fresh Take on Volunteer Position Descriptions
In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson challenges the status quo of traditional volunteer position descriptions. She explores why the standard, task-heavy approach often falls flat and shares how a simple shift in language and structure can dramatically improve volunteer recruitment.
Tobi introduces creative alternatives—like adding impact statements, showcasing team values, and sharing volunteer testimonials—that speak to both the hearts and minds of prospective volunteers. You'll also hear practical, easy-to-implement tips, such as renaming your descriptions to "Volunteer Opportunities" and reframing responsibilities as meaningful accomplishments.
If you’re looking to attract...
156. People-first Leadership & Strengthening Teams with Dr. Rob Lion
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson invites Dr. Rob Lion onto the show to discuss people-first leadership and fostering stronger collaboration between paid staff and volunteers. Dr. Rob Lion is a professor, consultant, and principal of Black River Performance Management, who shares expert insights on creating a human-centric organizational culture. Together, they explore key strategies for effective communication, trust-building, and conflict resolution—essential elements for nurturing a supportive and engaged team.
The conversation also highlights actionable steps that volunteer coordinators can take to enhance volunteer engagement and make a lasting impact from their pos...
155. Entitled or Exploited? Part 2 Volunteer Responsibilities AND Rights
In this episode of Volunteer Nation, host Tobi Johnson dives deep into the ethical and fair treatment of volunteers. She introduces the Volunteer Bill of Rights, outlining ten essential rights every volunteer should have, from being valued and trained to working in a safe environment.
But rights are only part of the equation. Tobi also explores ten key responsibilities volunteers should uphold, such as committing to the organization’s mission and respecting boundaries. This insightful conversation highlights the importance of mutual respect and accountability, aiming to build a positive, inclusive, and productive volunteer culture. Don’t miss this...
154. Entitled or Exploited? Part 1 - Volunteer Bias in Organizations
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi discusses the concept of volunteer bias in organizations, focusing on the theme, Entitled or Exploited. Using data from the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi highlights issues such as volunteer retention, respect, and organizational challenges.
She also delves into the implications of labeling volunteers as 'entitled' and introduces the concept of volunteer exploitation with real-world examples and emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and boundary setting in volunteer engagement, urging organizations to introspect on their practices.
Full show notes: 154. Entitled or Exploited? Part 1 - Volunteer Bias in Or...
153. Building Nonprofit Capacity at Hire Heroes with Michele Wiesner
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi welcomes Michele Wiesner, Director of Capacity Building at Hire Heroes USA onto the show! Michele discusses her extensive experience in volunteer engagement and career development, particularly her role in developing a robust volunteer program at Hire Heroes.
The pair cover a range of topics, including the importance of volunteerism, strategies for recruitment and retention, and insights on how nonprofits can scale their impact through capacity building. Michele also shares valuable leadership tips and advice for nonprofit professionals seeking to strengthen their organizations. Listen in to learn how to c...
152. What Every Nonprofit Executive Should Know About Community Engagement
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...
151. Reimagining Nonprofit Membership & Volunteer Engagement with Alice Glenn
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 gu...
