How do volunteer leaders move from being seen as “extra hands” to strategic drivers of mission success?

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson is joined by Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble, co-hosts of the Time for Impact Podcast in the UK, for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about building influence through impact.

Together, they explore why volunteering needs to be reframed as community participation and talent, not just unpaid labor and how leaders of volunteers can use data, stories, and strategic thinking to elevate their role inside organizations.

This episode goes beyond counting hours or outputs and dives into how volunteer engagement directly contributes to outcomes, organizational strategy, and long-term change.

Full show notes: 193. Building Influence with Impact with Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble

Building Influence - Episode Highlights

• [00:31] - Introducing Special Guests: Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble
• [01:12] - Building Influence with Impact
• [01:57] - Meet Chris Wade: A Leader in Volunteerism
• [03:58] - Meet Matthew Cobble: A Journey in Volunteer Engagement
• [07:42] - The Importance of Volunteerism in Today's World
• [12:42] - Volunteers as a Strategic Asset
• [14:10] - Measuring Impact and Building Influence
• [24:12] - Challenges and Solutions in Volunteer Leadership
• [31:15] - Hypotheses and Program Design
• [32:18] - Vision Week and Volunteer Planning
• [33:06] - Shifting Mindsets on Volunteerism
• [34:12] - Strategic Planning and Data Utilization
• [36:13] - Design Thinking in Volunteer Management
• [37:39] - Collaborative Data Collection
• [40:32] - Practical How-Tos for Volunteer Impact
• [42:46] - Measuring Volunteer Impact
• [53:44] - Collecting Evidence and Surveys

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report – The Recruitment Edition
• Time for Impact Podcast, Tobi Johnson on the Challenging, Brave Journey of Volunteer Leadership
• Volunteer Nation Episode #175: Outputs vs Outcomes: Why Counting Hours Isn’t Enough
• Info on Lewin's Force Field Analysis
• Info on Balanced Scorecard for Nonprofits
• Info on the Double Diamond Design Process
• Info on the Outcomes Star

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 tackles a topic that’s becoming increasingly urgent in the nonprofit and volunteer engagement world: copyright, intellectual property, and the ethics of sharing content.

As a content creator, trainer, and consultant, Tobi has seen a growing wave of copyright misuse, most often unintentional, but still harmful. From lifted slide decks to copied models to repurposed blog posts, the misuse of intellectual property not only creates legal risks but erodes trust within our professional community.

This episode is your practical, plain-language guide to understanding copyright, protecting your organization’s intellectual property, and respecting the creative work of others, staff, volunteers, and sector leaders alike.

Full show notes: 192. Respect the Work: How to Protect Copyright in the Age of Sharing

Protect Copyright - Episode Highlights

• 00:53 Understanding Copyright and Intellectual Property
• 01:41 Copyright Quiz: Legal, Ethical, or Neither?
• 04:17 Real-Life Copyright Infringement Examples
• 09:06 Why Copyright Matters for Nonprofits
• 09:54 Common Misconceptions About Copyright
• 11:55 How to Protect Your Copyright
• 18:05 Avoiding Copyright Infringement
• 35:22 What to Do If Your Work is Stolen

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #188: Let’s Talk Volunteering with Weave: the Social Fabric Project
• Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) Professional Ethics in Volunteer Management
• Creative Commons Website

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 Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down a common misconception in the nonprofit world: Who is ultimately responsible for shaping your organization’s volunteer culture?

After receiving pushback from a newsletter statement, Tobi walks us through the deeper nuance of volunteer culture, how it forms, why it goes wrong, and most importantly, why the CEO, not the volunteer manager, is the true culture owner.

Whether you’re a leader of volunteers or a senior executive, this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a roadmap for healthier culture-building moving forward!

Full show notes: 191. Who is Ultimately Responsible for Your Org's Volunteer Culture?

Volunteer Culture - Episode Highlights

• [02:00] - Why “Vision” = Culture
• [03:00] - What Is Volunteer Culture?
• [05:00] - The “Emotional Brand” of Your Organization
• [07:00] - How Culture Is Formed (Often Invisibly)
• [09:00] - Unintentional Culture Builders
• [11:00] - Why You Need a Culture Audit
• [12:00] - 7 Signs Your Volunteer Culture Is in Trouble
• [14:00] - When the Loudest or Most Overwhelmed Person Is Driving Culture
• [17:00] - Who is Ultimately Responsible for Volunteer Culture?
• [18:00] - Role of Senior Leadership & Department Heads
• [20:00] - Role of Volunteer Managers & Direct Supervisors
• [22:00] - Role of Volunteers Themselves
• [23:00] - What Happens When the Wrong Person Is Steering Culture
• [25:00] - Why Volunteer Managers Can’t Shoulder Culture Alone

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job

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 Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi dives deep into what makes a truly exceptional volunteer user experience — from the very first moment someone encounters your organization, through onboarding, active service, and beyond.

Tobi breaks down the five core UX principles nonprofits must master — clarity, consistency, ease, empathy, and delight and explains how they shape volunteer satisfaction, retention, and commitment.

You’ll also learn how to walk the path through your own volunteer journey to spot quick-win improvements and elevate your entire program.

Full show notes: 190. 5 Principles for an Unforgettable Volunteer User Experience

User Experience - Episode Highlights

• [01:00] – What a volunteer user experience actually is
• [03:00] – The five phases of the volunteer journey
• [08:00] – User experience principle #1: Clarity
• [09:00] – User experience principle #2: Consistency
• [12:00] – User experience principle #3: Ease
• [14:00] – User experience principle #4: Empathy
• [15:00] – User experience principle #5: Delight
• [17:00] – High-impact action: Walk the Path

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #184 - The Experience Economy – Are Nonprofits Keeping Up?
• Volunteer Nation Episode #183 - The New Reality - Volunteers Don't Need You
• Volunteer Nation Episode #118: 8 Ways to Make Volunteering Experiences Much Easier

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 breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms.

Tobi walks through the three core areas to examine when evaluating your volunteer recruitment efforts and explains how even small refinements can dramatically increase inquiries, improve onboarding, and strengthen your brand presence. By the end, you’ll see your volunteer recruitment ecosystem through fresh eyes and know exactly where the gaps (and opportunities) are hiding.

Full show notes: 189. How to Use a Communications Audit to Recruit More Volunteers

Communications Audit - Episode Highlights

• [01:00] - What a communications audit really is (and why it’s not scary)
• [03:30] - Three core areas of a communications audit
• [06:00] - Are you inspiring action or listing information?
• [08:10] - Onboarding and follow-up as critical parts of recruitment
• [12:15] - Reducing friction for new volunteers
• [15:00] - Involving your team and volunteers in the audit process
• [16:00] - Turning audit insights into better recruitment and engagement
• [19:00] - Why communications must be more refined than ever

Helpful Links

• VisionWeek 2026
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #143: 3 Big Problems with Your Volunteer Recruitment Flyer
• Volunteer Nation Episode #019: Improve the Volunteer Experience with a Journey Map
• Volunteer Nation Episode #173: Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away?

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 shares a webinar featuring Jennifer Bennett of Idealist and Travis Sternhagen, Volunteer Manager at Kinship Community Food Center. The episode delves into the transformative community-centric approach adopted by Kinship, emphasizing mutual aid, trust, and relationships over traditional transactional models of volunteerism.

Tobi and Jennifer discuss the challenges and strategies involved in fostering a sense of community among volunteers and service recipients alike, highlighting practical steps and profound insights shared by Travis. This episode offers invaluable guidance for anyone looking to reinvigorate volunteer engagement by making it deeply relational and community-oriented.

Full show notes: 188. Let's Talk Volunteering with Weave: the Social Fabric Project

Weave the Social Fabric Project - Episode Highlights

• [02:58] - The Weave Project and Volunteerism
• [06:54] - Tobi and Jennifer's Insights on Community Building
• [08:27] - Travis’ Unique Approach to Volunteer Engagement
• [15:10] - Kinship Community Food Center's Philosophy
• [28:09] - Challenges and Solutions in Volunteer Management
• [32:07] - Setting Boundaries in Healthy Communities
• [32:47] - The Compost Metaphor for Community Building
• [35:59] - Volunteer Influence Beyond the Organization
• [38:43] - Engaging Volunteers for Long-Term Commitment
• [42:11] - Audience Q&A: Building Community with Volunteers
• [49:05] - The Importance of Rituals in Community Building
• [50:50] - Managing Up and Embracing Community-Centric Approaches

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode 179 - Transformative Service Experiences with Frederick J. Riley and Jackie Wolven
• Weave: The Social Fabric Project at The Aspen Institute
• VolunteerMatch/Idealist
• Kinship Community Food Center
• Find Michael on LinkedIn
• Find Jennifer on LinkedIn
• Find Travis on LinkedIn

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 inspiring episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson celebrates International Volunteer Managers Day with special guest Nicole Smith, Executive Director of Alive. Together, they dive into this year’s powerful theme — “Be Bold and Make Change.”

Nicole brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation, sharing what it really takes to lead boldly in today’s volunteer management landscape. From strategic advocacy and clear communication to accountability and continuous improvement, she offers practical wisdom for leaders who want to make a lasting impact.

Tobi and Nicole also get real about common challenges like imposter syndrome, the importance of self-care, and how to manage upward effectively within organizations.

Full show notes: 187. Bold Leadership – Celebrating IVMDay with Nicole Smith

IVMDay - Episode Highlights

• [00:29] - Celebrating International Volunteer Managers Day
• [02:32] - The Importance of Bold Leadership
• [06:42] - Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Volunteerism
• [14:47] - Nicole's Journey into Volunteer Management
• [23:56] - Calculated Risks and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
• [32:14] - Reflecting on Past Achievements
• [36:20] - Managing Upward and Advocating for Volunteers
• [41:35] - Skills for Bold Leadership
• [46:44] - The Importance of Strategic Planning
• [52:53] - Delegation and Self-Reflection

Helpful Links

• VisionWeek 2026
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #136: Getting Back to Neighboring with Breauna Dorelus
• Volunteer Nation Episode #101: Tap the Power of Psychological Contracts with Pam Kappelides
• Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection Book
• Leadership and Self-Deception: The Secret to Transforming Relationships and Unleashing Results, 4th Edition Book
• Points of Light Making Purpose Possible Initiative
• Global International Volunteer Managers Day Site
• ALIVE International Volunteer Managers Day Page (with playlist!)
• AL!VE National Summit on Volunteer Engagement
• Find Nicole on LinkedIn

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 breaks down one of the biggest pitfalls in volunteer planning: confusing strategy with tactics. She explains why a plan that’s just a long list of tasks will never move your mission forward and what to do instead.

If you're ready to shift from “busy and reactive” to “focused and strategic,” this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable guidance. Plus, Tobi introduces Vision Week 2026, a hands-on, five-day planning experience designed to help you confidently create your annual volunteer engagement plan with expert support!

Full show notes: 186. Strategy vs Tactics - How to Include Both in Your Volunteer Planning

Strategy vs Tactics - Episode Highlights

• [01:35] - Why Solid Planning Matters
• [03:10] - Strategy vs. Tactics Defined
• [06:15] - The Risk of To-Do-List Planning
• [07:20] - Aligning Volunteer Engagement with Organizational Goals
• [12:20] - Real-World Example #1: Improving Program Outcomes
• [15:45] - Real-World Example #2: Growing the Volunteer Base
• [18:40] - Real-World Example #3: Boosting Staff Buy-In
• [22:10] - What Strategic Volunteer Engagement Really Means
• [24:00] - Why People Avoid Planning

Helpful Links

• VisionWeek 2026
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #134: 8 Annual Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
• Volunteer Nation Episode #82: Nonprofit Strategic Planning for 2024 in 3 Simple Steps
• Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job

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.