The Engaged Volunteer Podcast

Meet Matt Doherty, City Volunteer Manager for Greater London Authority. Having worked alongside some of the world’s largest events including The European Championships, Commonwealth Games, The Australian Open and now the Euros, Matt is no stranger to engaging with volunteers in a large capacity. In this episode of the podcast we get an in-depth look at Greater London Authority’s legacy project from the 2012 Games - Team London - an incredible example of how cities can engage with their communities through a centralised, city wide volunteer program. After the success of the London Olympics and a renewed interest in volunteering, the city of London made the sustainable move to invest in a volunteer management program, designed to provide year round opportunities for individuals looking to volunteer. From major events to community volunteering and serving the third sector, Team London has around 15,000 engaged volunteers for the community to utilize. In this podcast, Matt shares how programs such as Team London have been instrumental in supporting London’s major events like The Euros but also, more importantly, how volunteers were able to be utilized by the NHS at hospitals and vaccination centres during the peak of the pandemic which many cities around the work can relate to. This episode of the podcast was hosted by Shannan Gove.

Meet Andy Newman, Director of Workforce and Operations for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.   Working alongside some of the world’s biggest workforce programs including London 2012, Tough Mudder, The Houston Super Bowl and now, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Andy draws on his experience to discuss the true value of volunteering. While most organizations focus on the financial contribution volunteers provide, we discuss the more intangible value - experience.   In this episode of the podcast we take a closer look at how Tough Mudder built their hugely successful (and sustainable!) volunteer community, with a database of over 125,000 engaged volunteers.  We also discuss how Andy and his team revolutionised the way The Super Bowl utilized volunteers to ensure a lasting legacy within their communities with technology at the forefront.    This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove. To catch full episodes of The Engaged Volunteer Podcast, please follow the link below.    https://www.rosterfy.com/the-engaged-volunteer-podcast

Meet Anne-Catherine, Senior Volunteer Manager worldwide at FIFA. Having just implemented a global volunteer management program at one of the world's largest sporting federations, Anne Catherine (also known as AC) knows a thing or two about volunteers. In this episode of the podcast, AC takes us behind the scenes, with an in-depth look at FIFA’s global volunteer management program which is using technology to connect their global community of volunteers all via one centralized system. During this podcast we also discuss how a global volunteer management solution aids the business from an administrator point of view. Allowing local event hosts to access their own volunteer management solution under the FIFA account, FIFAs administrators around the world are now able to provide volunteer service excellence with the resources required to deliver a consistent experience. This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove. To the full episode, plus additional available episodes, please follow the link below. https://www.rosterfy.com/the-engaged-volunteer-podcast

For the first episode of this season, we’re thrilled to be joined by Jenny Betteridge, Strategic Lead for Volunteering at Sport England and Shruti Saujani, City Programme and Volunteer Manager at the England and Wales Cricket Board, otherwise known as ECB. With over 10 million people in the UK choosing to volunteer their time through sport and physical activity last year, this episode of the podcast sees us dive a little deeper into the physical, mental and social benefits of connected communities. We take a closer look at an inspiring volunteer-led project - Dream Big Desi Women which was created for enthusiastic and passionate individuals who want to make a difference in their community through cricket on and off the field. Jenny and Shruti highlight the importance of creating programmes that are accessible regardless of gender, levels of resources or technology - as well as discussing the significance of a robust volunteer feedback loop, which helps to shape and evolve these programmes to become better for all involved. We also discuss the impact of the last 12-18 months on volunteering and physical activity, as well as how changes in thinking around connection and personal development through technology is being shared and implemented across sports all over the UK. This episode of the podcast was hosted by Phillip Gbormittah.  To catch full episodes of The Engaged Volunteer Podcast, please follow the link below. https://www.rosterfy.com/the-engaged-volunteer-podcast

That was Jenne Myers - CEO and ‘Professional Do Gooder’ at Chicago Cares. After kick starting her career working for The City of Chicago and Mayor Daly, it was an opportunity to work with the Mayor’s wife Maggie that opened the doors to the ‘heart’ of Chicago and a new philanthropic career in public service. In this episode of the podcast, Jenne generously shares her journey from volunteer to CEO, providing an in-depth look at Chicago Cares’ unique volunteering program. With a mission to connect people of difference, Jenne discusses the transformative nature of volunteering and how the act of ‘giving back’ has the potential to be so much greater than just completing the task at hand. Through education and leadership, Jenne discusses the need to create mutually beneficial experiences that encourage cultural humility which ultimately creates more inclusive and understanding communities, full of ‘heart’. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com.

That was Corina Sadler CVA - Volunteer Resources Supervisor at City of Plano. After experiencing the joys of volunteering as a teen herself, Corina Sadler has cemented a career enriching the lives of teenagers through the creation of the Teen Volunteer Program for the City of Plano. In this episode of the podcast we discuss the stigmas that exist when it comes to young volunteers and why they should be embraced as a force for change. We also discuss the important role that technology plays in engaging and retaining teen volunteers who are looking for new and meaningful ways to give back to their communities. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Meet Tom Bowkett. A specialist freelancer in volunteer and workforce management. Recorded in amongst the thick of UK COVID lockdowns, 2020 has presented it’s fair share of challenges for a freelancer, who specializes in events. While many would dwell on a tough year, Tom shines with optimism about the future and how important events and volunteering will be in uniting communities. In this episode of the podcast, we learn more about the world of freelancing in events. From major sporting events to arts and cultural festivals, Tom has experienced the full remit of events and understands just how powerful people (including volunteers) are in creating a successful end to end event. After a year of lockdowns and isolations, we discuss the renewed reliance on technology and how this has positively impacted workforce programs worldwide and what this means for the future of volunteering. Tom and I also discuss the importance of placing value on volunteers to ensure maximum engagement and retention. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Meet Mike Nishi! COO of Chicago Event Management responsible for delivering one of the cities most beloved events - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Mike’s love for the Chicago Marathon dates back to 82, where he first volunteered for the event back in high school. In a tough year for all, but particularly the mass participation industry, Mike shares with us the highs and lows of 2020 including the unique ways in which they have been able to engage with the volunteers during lockdowns and the important role that technology has played in enabling them to do so. In this podcast, Mike also discusses the important role volunteers play in creating a lasting legacy when it comes to environmental and social change within a community. With 45,000 participants and 12,000 volunteers alone, Mike highlights how organizations can and should consider education and training as a means not only to enhance the event experience but to give back to communities in meaningful ways. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Today, we are joined by the fantastic Amanda Jenkins, Senior Manager of FIBA Oceania. Her passion for sport and some great initial volunteer opportunities kick started Amanda’s journey in sports and event management, which has seen her work for some of the most prestigious events within Australia. During this podcast, Amanda and I chat about what it's like to work for one of the world’s most popular sporting bodies and how FIBA manages to connect with their volunteers throughout Asia Pacific including how to manage the cultural complexities of a diverse workforce. With the Women’s World Cup set to take place in Sydney in 2022, Amanda discusses the important role that volunteers play in delivering large scale events and also outlines the importance of providing career opportunities and training to enhance the volunteer experience. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by the passionate, Elke Koehnke - Volunteer turned Head of Volunteers and Workforce for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games. After volunteering at the FIFA World Cup in Germany and having a once in a lifetime experience managing VVIPs in her hometown of Hamburg, Elke decided to start a new career in the sports and events arena, following some of the biggest events around the world to manage their volunteers. In this podcast, Elke shares her insights into her time spent managing volunteers in the Middle East and how patience and an understanding of different cultures only enhances your volunteer management program. Elke also chats through her planning process ahead of the Special Olympics World Games and shares her insights into the best ways to engage your volunteers so that they get the most out of their experience. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

That was Matt Lynch, Founder of MoonShot. Have you ever wondered why some live experiences capture our hearts better than others? Consider places like Disney Land, where a commitment to exceptional service excellence sees them described as the happiest place on earth. MoonShot works with organizations to engage and train frontline staff and volunteers to live and breathe brand ethos through programs that provide opportunities for upskilling and connections. While you might hear Disney and think - that’s all well and good if you have a huge budget - how does this apply to someone like me? In this episode of the podcast, Matt discusses how organizations of all shapes and sizes (and budgets) can implement simple steps to better engage with their staff and volunteers to ensure a world class experience for volunteers, fans and participants alike. As the world pivots away from in person training to the digital world, we also discuss the importance of understanding volunteer motivations to accommodate engaging experiences for a diverse range of backgrounds and demographics. This episode of the podcast was hosted by Shannan Gove. 

Meet Elena Laguna  - Head of Volunteering at Oxfam Great Britain. After a chance opportunity to lead a youth volunteering program in Nicaragua, Elena has firmly cemented a career in helping others, working with some of the UK’s leading charities to manage their volunteer programs. In this episode of the podcast, Elena discusses the importance of treating your volunteers as individuals (even at the highest level) and how understanding volunteer motivations ensures connection. We also take a look at the impacts of COVID-19 including the changing landscape of volunteers. With traditional volunteers having been replaced (at least temporarily) by corporates and a younger demographic as a result of furloughs and decreased job opportunities the need to create roles that are more flexible and technologically driven is more important than ever. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com.

Meet Chris Randle! Regional Director of IRONMAN in New Zealand. Not many event professionals can say they kick started their career at the Olympic Games but after a leap of faith and a impromptu career change, Chris did just that. Since his first role as a project manager at the London Olympic Games in 2012, Chris has gone on to experience and enjoy the ‘events buzz’ at some of the world’s premier mass participation events. During this podcast, Chris and I chat about how IRONMAN manages to engage with their volunteers year on year, including the strategies they have implemented to combat cancellations and postments as a result of COVID-19. Chris also shares his insights into IRONMAN’s unique partnership program for volunteers, highlighting the ways in which sponsors can provide a great opportunity to enhance the volunteer experience to increase engagement, retention and overall volunteer satisfaction. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Today, we are joined by the vibrant, Bron Parry. A lover of sports in general, Bron has spent her career striving to ensure that like any good coach, her volunteers feel valued and a part of the team. In this chat, we chat about the important role that sport plays within a community and the opportunities this creates for engagement in the form of volunteering. We discuss the importance of acknowledging and valuing volunteers as part of the workforce and the strategies that can be employed to ensure that your volunteers are engaged and retained. This podcast also touches on the impacts of COVID. As the operator of a contracting business herself, Bron talks about the importance of staying positive during these challenging times and how now more than ever we need to be flexible and open to new opportunities. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Taryn Evans - Workforce Planning Manager at Melbourne Olympic Parks. With a passion for sport and entertainment, Taryn has worked alongside some of Melbourne’s most treasured events including The Melbourne Cup and The Australian Open just to name a few. In this podcast, Taryn and I take a closer look at what it means to be a good leader and how through learned experience (both good and bad) leadership can be harnessed to ensure that you get the most out of you and your team. As we explore the idea of the ‘experience business’, Taryn shares her insights into why it’s so important to be open to new experiences and follow your gut when it comes to finding your passion - you never know what opportunities this may present! If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Today, we are joined by Ayden Shaw - Community Engagement Manager at Disability, Sport and Recreation. It's hard not to like Ayden. His passion for life and willingness to embrace and create new opportunities for himself has seen him become a respected young leader in community engagement amongst his peers. In this chat, we chat about the importance of volunteering when it comes to personal and professional development and the willingness to embrace opportunities and the challenges that these may present, giving yourself permission to fail. With experience working with the underprivileged including refugees and those with a disability, this podcast focuses on finding your passion, embracing opportunities and connecting with people in meaningful ways. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Tami Richter - Director of Events, Volunteers, Staffing and Resources at one of the world’s biggest events, SXSW. A proud Texan, Tami started her journey with SXSW 18 years ago as a volunteer and has never looked back. On this episode of the podcast, Tami takes us through her top tips for managing volunteers from educating stakeholders through to valuing and rewarding your volunteers including the need for being open to criticism and change to ensure that you and your volunteers are getting the most out of your volunteer management program. As one of the first events cancelled as a result of COVID-19, Tami also discusses the ways in which SXSW are remaining engaged with their volunteers including introducing them to broader opportunities within the community. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Meet Jack Coles - Workforce Planner at FIFA. A quarter life crisis and the opportunity to volunteer at The Champions League in Wembley saw the beginning of a new and unexpected career path for Jack, which has seen him be involved in some of the biggest workforce programs worldwide. In this podcast, Jack discusses the highs and lows of workforce management including the importance of engaging your staff and putting the human needs first to empower your workforce to help you and your organization succeed. From working on the contractor side, supplying thousands of staff at some of the UK’s biggest music festivals and dealing with the chaotic and often unpredictable nature of events through to his insights working on ground at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, there’s a lot to learn from Jack’s leadership including the importance of remaining calm under pressure and remembering to smile, and enjoy yourself. This podcast was recorded remotely so we do apologise for the broken audio at times. Here’s hoping that these podcasts can be recorded in person sooner rather than later. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.

Today, we are joined by the wonderful Tracey O’Neill, Manager of Volunteer Engagement at Austin Health. With over 20 years of experience managing volunteers, Tracey is passionate about including volunteers as part of the workforce and that they’re not ‘just’ another volunteer. In this chat, we talk about the important role Volunteer Managers play in creating incredible experiences for their volunteers and the communities that they serve. We also discuss the challenges of making organizations appreciate just how important volunteers are as a resource to help organizations achieve their mission and some helpful tips to guide you through these difficult conversations. This podcast also touches on the impacts of Covid-19 on volunteering including the important role volunteering will play in the Covid-19 recovery around mental health. As we face a worldwide mental health crisis, volunteering needs to be on the agenda to ensure that we are supporting people’s mental health. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer podcast aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening!

Meet Lisa Urban - Director of the Community Ambassador Program at Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Ever wondered how one of the world’s biggest events manages their volunteer management program? Well wonder no more! On this episode of the podcast we are privileged to get an inside, step by step look into what it takes to deliver one of the most celebrated events globally. From the unique nature of Sports Commissions in the US and what the Super Bowl means from a community engagement point of view, through to how to recruit, screen and train over 10,000 volunteers, this podcast is packed full of tips and learnings for best practice volunteer engagement. As events globally are now forced to implement real changes to ensure that their staff, volunteers and participants feel safe from COVID-19, we also discuss the introduction of online training sessions and the importance of communication when it comes to COVID safe practices. This podcast was recorded remotely so we do apologise for the broken audio at times. Here’s hoping that these podcasts can be recorded in person sooner rather than later. If this is your first time checking us out, The Engaged Volunteer aims to highlight the ways in which organizations and individuals are engaging their communities to connect them to events and causes they’re passionate about. The best way to support the Engaged Volunteer Podcast is to click ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app, and tell your friends about us! We also really appreciate feedback on the podcast and would love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share your thoughts or if you have someone in mind for us to interview, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@rosterfy.com. Thanks so much for listening! This episode was hosted by Rosterfy Co Founder, Shannan Gove.