Leadership in volunteer engagement is not defined by title or workload, but by the ability to influence, align, and inspire others toward a shared vision. Many leaders stay busy managing day-to-day tasks, yet struggle to step into a more visible and strategic role that drives real organizational impact.

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, part of the Impact Lab POV Series, Tobi Johnson sits down with Megan Vixie, a seasoned nonprofit leader, to explore how professionals can grow their leadership presence and expand their influence. Drawing from her journey from volunteer to Chief Engagement Officer, Megan shares practical insights on mindset shifts, intrinsic motivation, and the importance of cultural competence in leading effectively.

Together, they unpack what it means to move from simply “working in your program” to intentionally “working on your program,” and how visibility, voice, and vision play a critical role in advancing both personal leadership and organizational success. Megan also offers actionable strategies to help listeners speak up, leverage their unique strengths, and align their work with broader strategic priorities.

If you’re ready to elevate your impact, build confidence as a leader, and step into a more influential role within your organization, this conversation will give you the tools and perspective to get started.

Full show notes:

Leadership and Influence – Episode Highlights

• [00:00] – Introducing Megan Vixie and the impact of volunteerism in today’s world
• [02:11] – Megan’s volunteer story and path to leadership
• [04:25] – The role of passion and purpose in volunteer engagement careers
• [09:07] – Why volunteerism is vital amidst societal stressors
• [13:08] – Common misconceptions about career growth in the volunteer field
• [16:29] – Mindset shifts: Using vision, visibility, and voice
• [20:27] – The importance of owning your influence regardless of title
• [23:22] – How influence intersects with organizational strategy and influence
• [28:48] – Practical steps to build confidence and speak up effectively
• [36:37] – Real-world example of shifting mindset to leadership success
• [39:53] – Starting small when seeking to enhance your influence
• [45:45] – Building trust and partnership through listening and affirming
• [48:48] – Encouragement to take risks and have tough conversations
• [52:11] – Megan’s upcoming advanced seminar and how to join
• [54:10] – Megan’s vision for the future of volunteer engagement leadership
• [55:23] – Connecting with Megan and learning about her work

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab – https://volpro.net/join/
• Volunteer Management Progress Report – https://volpro.net/volunteer-management-progress-report/
• Volunteer Nation Episode #017: My Top 12 Nonprofit Leadership Tips Learned the Hard Way – https://volpro.net/017-my-top-12-nonprofit-leadership-tips-learned-the-hard-way/
• Find Megan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganvixie/
• Arrive Circa Now website – ht

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.

Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways nonprofits attract new supporters, but what if you could harness it more intentionally? Without a clear strategy, many organizations miss the opportunity to turn passionate volunteers into active promoters of their mission.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson explores how to build an effective volunteer ambassador program that expands your reach, strengthens relationships, and increases engagement. She explains why ambassador programs are so impactful and how they help nonprofits connect with new audiences in a more authentic and credible way.

You’ll learn how to identify the right volunteers for ambassador roles, define meaningful activities that align with your goals, and provide the training and tools they need to succeed. Tobi also shares practical strategies for equipping ambassadors with clear messaging, building their confidence, and ensuring consistency across your outreach efforts.

If you’re ready to amplify your mission and tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing, this episode offers actionable steps to help you build a volunteer ambassador program that grows your community and attracts lasting support.

Full show notes: 208. How to Build a Volunteer Ambassador Program to Attract Support.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] - Introduction to Volunteer Ambassador Programs
• [02:57] - Why Ambassador Programs Matter
• [10:12] - Defining Roles and Activities
• [16:46] - Preparing and Equipping Ambassadors
• [20:37] - Keys to a Successful Program

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Membership Community — volpro.net/join/
• 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report – The Recruitment Edition — volpro.net/volunteer-management-progress-report/
• Volunteer Nation Episode #148: Nonprofit Advocacy 101 – Yes You Can! — volpro.net/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.

A slow or confusing volunteer application process can cost organizations more than time. It can lead to missed opportunities, frustrated applicants, and fewer volunteers joining your mission.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why many volunteer application systems break down and how small delays, unclear next steps, and overly complicated forms can cause potential volunteers to drop off before they ever get started. She also shares practical ways to identify where your process may be losing people and how to make improvements that keep momentum moving forward.

Tobi introduces a simple framework called the Rapid Response Plan, designed to help organizations respond quickly to inquiries, streamline application steps, and use the right tools to support a smooth and welcoming experience. By focusing on clarity, speed, and communication, organizations can build trust with volunteers from the very first interaction.

If you want to increase volunteer participation and create a more responsive recruitment process, this episode offers actionable ideas to help you simplify your application system and make it easier for people to say yes to volunteering.

Full show notes: 207. Is Your Volunteer Application Process Broken?

Volunteer Application - Episode Highlights

• [00:34] - Why Applications Matter
• [02:41] - Is Your Process Broken
• [05:30] - Common Application Pitfalls
• [11:19] - Rapid Response Plan Overview
• [16:06] - Pillar One Streamlined Inquiries
• [22:19] - Pillar Two Efficient Applications
• [27:10] - Pillar Three Right Tech Stack
• [30:28] - Recap and Next Steps

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Blog - Pro Roundup: A Month of Love with Free Nonprofit Tools, Downloads, and Templates
• Volunteer Nation Episode #206: Essential Volunteer Software – The Tech Stack You Can’t Afford to Skip
• Volunteer Nation Episode #190: 5 Principles for an Unforgettable Volunteer User Experience

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.

Volunteer managers often rely on a mix of spreadsheets, emails, and manual processes to keep programs running. But as volunteer programs grow, those systems can quickly become overwhelming and difficult to manage.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson explores the role technology plays in helping volunteer leaders work more efficiently and strategically. She breaks down the concept of a “tech stack” and explains how the right combination of tools can reduce administrative workload and create more time for relationship-building and program development.

Rather than recommending specific platforms, Tobi focuses on the core functions volunteer software should support, including recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, communication, and impact tracking. She also discusses how organizations can evaluate which tools are truly necessary and avoid adding software that creates more complexity than value.

If you are wondering whether your current systems are helping or slowing you down, this episode offers practical guidance on choosing technology that strengthens your volunteer strategy and supports the long-term growth of your program.

Full show notes: 206. Essential Volunteer Software - The Tech Stack You Can’t Afford to Skip

Volunteer Software - Episode Highlights

• [00:26] - Why Software Matters
• [06:03] - Core Volunteer Functions
• [08:26] - Stack Evolves Over Time
• [09:47] - Website Is Essential
• [15:34] - Communication Automation
• [17:48] - Training and Compliance
• [19:06] - Recognition and Retention
• [27:35] - Newsletter Break
• [29:56] - Cost Benefit Framework
• [37:26] - Integration and UX Tips
• [41:28] - Red Flags and Support
• [43:03] - Final Takeaways and Wrap

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Blog - Pro Roundup: A Month of Love with Free Nonprofit Tools, Downloads, and Templates
• Volunteer Nation Episode #205 – My Top Time Management Tips for Overwhelmed Volunteer Managers
• 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.

Managing volunteers often means juggling a wide range of responsibilities. From responding to emails and coordinating schedules to planning events and maintaining relationships, volunteer leaders frequently feel pulled in many directions at once.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers regain focus and reduce the sense of constant overwhelm. Drawing from her own nonprofit experience, she explains why the common pressure to “do more with less” can make work harder rather than more productive.

Tobi walks through several simple but powerful approaches to managing your time more intentionally, including setting clear priorities, protecting time for focused work, and reducing the impact of constant interruptions and task switching.

You’ll also hear why delegating outcomes instead of tasks, building stronger systems, and protecting your personal energy are essential for sustainable leadership.

If you often feel like your to-do list never ends, this episode offers practical ideas to help you work more strategically, focus on what matters most, and create a more manageable rhythm in your volunteer leadership work.

Full show notes: 205. My Top Time Management Tips for Overwhelmed Volunteer Managers

Time Management Tips - Episode Highlights

• [00:27] - Overwhelm Is Real
• [02:04] - Do Less With Less
• [05:11] - Set Clear Goals
• [10:10] - Prioritize By Goals
• [12:31] - Deep Work And Batching
• [20:49] - Quick Break And Newsletter
• [21:54] - Delegate Outcomes Not Tasks
• [26:52] - Build Margin Protect Energy
• [31:11] - Rest As Leadership Skill
• [35:11] - Rapid Fire Bonus Tips

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Blog - Pro Roundup: A Month of Love with Free Nonprofit Tools, Downloads, and Templates
• Volunteer Nation Episode #185: To Burnout & Back – My Secret Struggle with Long COVID
• Volunteer Nation Episode #023: Secrets to Managing Time and Energy
• Volunteer Nation Episode 046 – Save Time with Better Volunteer Management Systems

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.

Strengthening a volunteer strategy is not always about fixing a struggling program. Sometimes it is about preparing a successful program for growth.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson is joined by Lisa Lopez and Paola Gonzalez from ScholarMatch to discuss how their organization examined its volunteer engagement model. Through an eight-month collaboration, the team evaluated their systems, explored new ways to support volunteers, and began building a framework to expand their impact.

During the conversation, Lisa and Paola share the story behind ScholarMatch’s mission to support first-generation college students and explain how volunteer coaches guide students through the college application process. From building college lists to reviewing financial aid offers and essays, volunteers help students navigate a system many families experience for the first time.

The episode also explores strategy work behind the scenes, including program audits, communications reviews, volunteer journey mapping, and targeted recruitment strategies. These efforts helped the team step back from daily operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and rethink how volunteers are recruited, supported, and developed as leaders.

If your organization is thinking about expanding volunteer capacity or improving its systems, this episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to strengthen a volunteer strategy while continuing to serve your mission.

Full show notes: 204. Transforming Your Volunteer Strategy: A Case Study with ScholarMatch

Volunteer Strategy - Episode Highlights

• [00:50] - Meet ScholarMatch Guests
• [09:15] - Why Volunteerism Matters
• [17:24] - First Gen Barriers
• [22:26] - Volunteer Coaches Impact
• [35:05] - Scaling Needs New Systems
• [36:12] - Outside Perspective Benefits
• [45:37] - Volunteer Personas Breakthrough
• [48:58] - Big Strategy Shifts
• [57:17] - What’s Next For ScholarMatch
• [01:04:24] - Final Reflections And Wrap

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #019: Improve the Volunteer Experience with a Journey Map
• Volunteer Nation Episode #189: How to Use a Communications Audit to Recruit More Volunteers
• ScholarMatch Website
• ScholarMatch Volunteer Page
• Email
• ScholarMatch on Instagram
• ScholarMatch on Facebook
• ScholarMatch 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.

Volunteer burnout is not always caused by time, workload, or lack of commitment. In many cases, it happens when leaders begin to feel less effective in their roles. As confidence and enjoyment decline, even experienced volunteers may start to disengage or step away.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson sits down with leadership performance coach Paul Clarke to discuss new research on why volunteer leaders struggle under pressure and what organizations can do to better support them. They explore the gap between knowing what to do and being able to apply those skills in real-world situations, along with the emotional and organizational challenges that impact long-term retention.

If you lead volunteers or are building a leadership pipeline, this conversation will help you rethink development, communication, and support. You will gain practical insights to strengthen resilience, improve retention, and create an environment where volunteer leaders feel confident, connected, and motivated to continue making an impact.

Full show notes: 203. Preventing Volunteer Burnout - New Research with Paul Clarke

Volunteer Burnout - Episode Highlights

• [00:49] - Why Leaders Burn Out
• [04:30] - Paul’s Coaching Journey
• [10:15] - GAA and Grassroots Sports
• [19:27] - Methodology and Surprises
• [24:32] - Early Warning Signs
• [30:15] - Five Competencies Overview
• [31:26] - Authenticity Under Pressure
• [33:12] - Emotional Intelligence Under Stress
• [36:06] - Governance Managing Up
• [37:09] - Managing Upward Conflicts
• [40:26] - Beyond Performance Connection
• [43:11] - Data Versus Belonging
• [48:56]- Peer Learning Mentorship
• [55:39] - Relational Culture Fix
• [59:47] - AI Curiosity Future

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #185 - To Burnout & Back: My Secret Struggle with Long COVID
• Volunteer Nation Episode #035: 6 Ways to Prevent Burnout in Nonprofits
• Find Paul on LinkedIn
• The Leaders Coach
• 'Fine Lines" Weekly Leadership Newsletter (complimentary sign-up link)
• Follow Paul on Instagram
• Pauls' Email

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.

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.