Volunteer events can be some of the most powerful tools nonprofits have, but they can also be some of the most stressful.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares key takeaways from a recent high-energy training inside the Volunteer Pro Impact Lab, where she taught nonprofit leaders how to run volunteer events that create real impact without chaos or burnout.

Whether you’re hosting corporate teams, community groups, or special one-time volunteer days, this episode will help you rethink how you design, plan, and follow up on events so they become strategic relationship-building opportunities, not just logistical headaches.

You’ll learn how to move beyond simply “getting the work done” and instead use volunteer events to grow advocates, strengthen partnerships, and create long-term support for your mission.

Full show notes: 202. Volunteer Events without the Headaches - My Training Takeaways

Volunteer Events - Episode Highlights

• [02:20] - Why Volunteer Events Matter (Visibility, Funding, Advocates)
• [03:17] - Why We Dread Them: Common Pain Points and The Need for Systems
• [04:26] - Training Context: What the Seminar Covered for One-Time Groups
• [07:28] - Takeaway #1: Events as Strategic Relationship Builders
• [09:18] - Takeaway #2: Predictable Problems and Setting Boundaries
• [12:38] - Takeaway #3: Win in the Planning—Projects, Registration, Expectations, Risk
• [21:02] - Takeaway #4: The Volunteer Experience Matters as Much as the Work
• [23:54] - Takeaway #5: Follow-Up Is Where Relationships Grow
• [26:10] - Final Reflection

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Episode #115: Your Quick Guide to Amazing Volunteer Events
• Volunteer Nation Episode #083: Make the Most of Corporate Partnerships with Alyson Gallaher

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.

What if you never had to panic-recruit volunteers again?

Scrambling to find 25 volunteers by next week is stressful, reactive, and exhausting.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a smarter approach: build a volunteer pipeline before you need it using simple marketing tools like lead magnets, nurture emails, and even interactive quizzes.

Instead of chasing people at the last minute, you’ll learn how to create a steady stream of mission-aligned supporters who are already warmed up and ready to say yes.

This is recruitment that feels calm, proactive, and repeatable.

Full show notes: 201. How a Lead Magnet Can Help You Recruit On-Demand Volunteers

Lead Magnet - Episode Highlights

• [00:27] - Understanding On-Demand Volunteers
• [01:28] - Emotional Reality of Volunteer Recruitment
• [02:33] - Building a Volunteer Pipeline
• [05:17] - What is a Lead Magnet?
• [08:11] - Creating Effective Lead Magnets
• [13:10] - Advanced Lead Magnet Strategies
• [28:41] - The Power of Volunteer Quizzes
• [34:15] - Practical Steps to Start Building Your Lead Magnet

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #002: How to Recruit Volunteers by Building a Following First

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.

The 200th episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast marks a major milestone.

After four years, hundreds of conversations, and insights from volunteer leaders around the world, Tobi Johnson takes a step back to reflect on what has changed in volunteer engagement and what today’s organizations must do differently to build stronger, more sustainable volunteer programs.

From strategy and systems to recruitment, retention, and leadership influence, this episode distills the most important lessons learned across 200 episodes into ten clear, actionable takeaways.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader of volunteers or building a program from the ground up, this conversation offers both perspective and practical guidance for the future of the field.

Full show notes: 200. 10 Lessons from 200 Episodes - The Volunteer Nation Through the Years

Volunteer Nation - Episode Highlights

• [01:51] - Reflecting on 200 Episodes
• [04:19] - The Evolution of Volunteer Engagement
• [06:16] - Key Lessons from 200 Episodes
• [11:01] - Volunteer Engagement as Strategy
• [14:15] - Addressing Capacity Problems
• [21:46] - The Importance of Meaning in Recruitment
• [26:45] - Retention Starts Early
• [30:02] - Empowering Volunteer Managers
• [30:29] - Building Influence as a Volunteer Manager
• [32:00] - Supporting Volunteer Leaders in Nonprofits
• [33:56] - The Evolution of Volunteer Roles
• [34:30] - Flexible and Team-Based Volunteering
• [40:29] - Community as a Retention Strategy
• [44:23] - The Importance of Data in Volunteer Management
• [50:13] - Challenges and Resilience of Volunteer Leaders
• [53:49] - The Brave Future of Volunteerism

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #198 - The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 1
• Volunteer Nation Episode #199 - The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 2

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.