In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson sits down with Jennifer Sirangelo, President & CEO of Points of Light, to explore why volunteerism is not just a “nice to have”, it’s a necessity.

Jennifer shares her inspiring journey into the nonprofit world and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Points of Light’s mission to position volunteer management as essential infrastructure. Together, they unpack key insights from the groundbreaking report From Nice to Necessary, which outlines the urgent need for increased investment in volunteer engagement.

If you're a nonprofit leader, volunteer coordinator, or advocate for civic engagement, this episode will leave you energized and equipped to make the case for stronger volunteer systems.

Full show notes: 163. New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo

Points of Light - Episode Highlights

• [03:01] - Jennifer’s Nonprofit Journey
• [05:47] - The Importance of Volunteerism and Civic Engagement
• [08:36] - Challenges and Opportunities in Volunteer Management
• [09:08] - The State of Volunteering Today
• [20:07] - The Hidden Costs of Volunteer Engagement
• [24:37] - Discussing Healthcare Access and Volunteer Management
• [26:02] - Theory of Change in Volunteering
• [27:41] - Challenges in Measuring Volunteer Impact
• [29:32] - Research and Data in Volunteerism
• [33:35] - Engaging Funders in Volunteerism
• [34:55] - Addressing Volunteer Infrastructure
• [38:44] - Digital Marketing and Volunteer Recruitment
• [43:42] - Supervisory Ratios and Staffing

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• Volunteer Nation Episode #047: The State of Volunteer Engagement with Dr. Sue Kahl and Nathan Dietz
• Volunteer Nation Episode #71: Partnering with Funders to Support Volunteer Engagement with Jane Justis & Betsy McFarland
• Volunteer Nation Episode #158: Nonprofit Capacity Building with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
• Volunteer Nation Episode #81: How Vol Services & Nonprofit Marketers Can Work Together with Kivi Leroux Miller
• Points of Light, From Nice to Necessary: Unleashing the Impact of Volunteering Through Transformative Investment
• Contact Points of Light
• Find Jennifer 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 Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, tools for volunteer engagement: human connection. Tobi reminds us that it's not tech tools or training manuals that drive true engagement, it's trust, belonging, and meaningful relationships.

Tobi unpacks why emotional closeness matters in volunteerism and shares six practical ways to cultivate connection, from hosting informal social gatherings to designing team-based roles, co-creating shared identity, and even rethinking your forms and onboarding processes.

You’ll also hear personal reflections and actionable tips to help you upgrade your volunteer program and create a more connected, motivated, and mission-aligned community!

Full show notes: 162. The #1 Secret to Deep Volunteer Participation

Volunteer Participation - Episode Highlights

• [01:32] - The Secret to Deep Volunteer Participation
• [05:00] - Why Connection Matters
• [07:00] - A Message for High-Achievers
• [09:00] - What Does Connection Really Mean?
• [15:00] - Connection Beyond Face-to-Face
• [17:00] - Host Regular Social Gatherings
• [19:45] - Team-Based Assignments
• [21:45] - Facilitate Storytelling
• [26:00] - Create a Shared Identity
• [28:00] - Facilitate Debrief Sessions
• [32:00] - Refine Paperwork & Processes (The surprising one!)

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #138 - Building Community in an Uncertain (and Sometimes Scary) World

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 powerful follow-up episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson continues her insightful conversation with Jenni Field, diving deeper into the leadership principles that drive meaningful change, especially for those managing volunteers.

Together, they unpack the nuanced differences between authenticity and vulnerability in leadership, highlighting how empathy, flexibility, and consistent action can earn trust and credibility with both volunteers and colleagues.

Tobi and Jenni also offer guidance on recognizing signs of credibility challenges and what to do about them. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to volunteer management, this episode is full of practical wisdom you can use right away.

Full show notes: 161. Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 2 with Jenni Field

Leadership Principles - Episode Highlights

• [01:50] - Authenticity vs. Vulnerability in Leadership
• [05:40] - The Importance of Being Genuine
• [11:51] - Diagnosing Credibility Issues in Organizations
• [14:35] - Navigating Challenges in Inclusivity and Belonging
• [19:58] - Volunteer Managers: Gaining Buy-In and Credibility
• [22:53] - Building Credibility and Respect
• [25:02] - Strategic Planning for Volunteer Engagement
• [26:43] - Addressing Challenges in Volunteer Management
• [32:05] - Empathy and Flexibility in Volunteer Leadership
  

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report – The Recruitment Edition
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #84: Building an Inclusive Culture at Your Volunteer Organization with Advita Patel
• Edleman Trust Barometer 2025
• The Fish Rots from the Head: The Crisis in Our Boardrooms: Developing the Crucial Skills of the Competent Director
• Find Jenni on LinkedIn
• Find Jenni on Instagram
• Jenni's Website
• Buy Jenni’s Book
• Take the Credibility Gap Assessment: How credible are you?
  
  
  

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.