217. What Is a Volunteer? Why It Matters to You Org

Most organizations see volunteers as free labor. That narrow view hides their true value.In this episode, Tobi Johnson explains why redefining volunteer roles unlocks hidden assets: relational capital, advocacy reach, donor pipelines, and community credibility. She covers practical steps to write clear role descriptions, reduce staff‑volunteer tension, and stay legally compliant, from U.S. Department of Labor standards to local laws.If fuzzy definitions are holding your organization back, this episode gives you the clarity and strategy to turn volunteers into your most valuable strategic asset.What Is a Volunteer? – Episode Highlights [00:00] Understanding Volunteers: Definitions and Importance[04:47] Valuing Volunteer Time: Beyond Wage Replacement[11:23] Legal Perspectives on Volunteerism[21:05] Defining Volunteer Roles vs. Paid Staff Roles[24:54] Clarity in Volunteer and Staff Relationships[34:56] Action Steps for Defining Volunteer RolesHelpful Links Volunteer Management Fundamentals Live! Volunteer Nation Episode #214: Defending National Service & Community Resilience with Kaira EsgateVolunteer Nation Episode #009: Helping Nonprofit Employees See the Value of VolunteersVolunteer Nation Episode #096: Volunteer Work or Staff Position? How to Decide! Volunteer Nation Episode #129: Paid or Volunteer Role? A Simple Checklist Volunteer Nation Episode #157: A Fresh Take on Volunteer Position Descriptions Independent Sector Value of Volunteer Time US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Final Rulings and Option Letters Volunteer Strategy Scorecard™ 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 [email protected].