Episode Details

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into the 7 common rookie mistakes non-profits make when managing volunteers and shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers reduce stress and rediscover the joy in their work. 

Tobi highlights the power of maintaining a positive mindset, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on community-building over paperwork. She also shares actionable tips for creating effective systems for delegation, engaging episodic volunteers for long-term impact, and prioritizing warm, relationship-driven recruitment strategies. 

Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer manager or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to make volunteer management more effective and more enjoyable. 

Full show notes: 177. Manage Volunteers Like a Pro: 7 Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 

Manage Volunteers - Episode Highlights 

• [03:45] - Rookie Mistake #1: Not Minding Your Mindset 
• [07:53] - Rookie Mistake #2: The Department of One Mentality 
• [13:00] - Rookie Mistake #3: Choosing Paperwork Over People 
• [16:39] - Rookie Mistake #4: Not Building a Community Before Asking for Volunteers 
• [22:41] - Rookie Mistake #5: Not Setting Clear Boundaries 
• [26:39] - Rookie Mistake #6: Focusing on Cold vs. Warm Recruitment 
• [28:27] - Rookie Mistake #7: Not Building and Documenting Clear Systems 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Management Fundamentals Live! 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #003: Moving From a Scarcity Mindset to Abundance 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #164: Moving from Volunteer Compliance to Building Your Nonprofit Community 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #002: How to Recruit Volunteers by Building a Following First 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #126: 8 Ways to Empower, Not Rescue Nonprofit Employees & Volunteers 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #86: Converting Episodic Volunteers into Long-term Supporters 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #046: Save Time with Better Volunteer Management Systems  
• ChatGPT (great for developing volunteer policies and procedures) 

Volapalooza is a free, virtual festival designed specifically for leaders of volunteers.

Featuring three events across four showtimes, including:

• Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-Fueled Organizations
• 5 Essential Pillars to Finding & Keeping Committed Volunteers
• What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Leading Volunteers

Grab your festival passes.

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