The document provides guidelines for obtaining the Certificate in Volunteer Resources Management (CVRM) designation from the Professional Association of Volunteer Resources in Ontario (PAVRO). It outlines the requirements to demonstrate experience in volunteer management, ongoing professional development, leadership in the field, and submitting written papers on topics related to volunteer engagement. Applicants who meet the criteria can use the CVRM initials and must recertify every three years to maintain the designation. The process is moving to an online application and payment system.

1. CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION GUIDELINES 2018 – 2019

2. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION OVERVIEW
Certificate in Volunteer Resources Management (CVRM)
The Certification Committee supports PAVRO’s objectives to promote standards of
excellence in volunteer management by supporting professional development,
learning and growth opportunities for Volunteer Engagement Professionals through
CVRM designation.
Certified members join a select group of professionals who are recognized for their
experience, commitment to ongoing development and who continue to demonstrate
knowledge and proficiency required to be successful as Volunteer Engagement
Professionals. Employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of certification
as a means of hiring the talent required to meet the demands of the profession.

3. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION OVERVIEW
Certificate in Volunteer Resources Management (CVRM)
To achieve CVRM, you are not required to write an exam. Instead the certification
process focuses on allowing you to demonstrate your practical experience and
commitment to your professional development participation.
Each individual who is certified promotes a wider recognition and respect for the high
level of professionalism in Volunteer Engagement.
CVRM designation is not currently recognized outside Ontario, however no other
provincial associations in Canada, nor most of the United States currently offer
certification designation.
Anyone who has successfully completed the CVRM designation can use the “CVRM”
initials after their name for as long as they remain certified.

4. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION OVERVIEW
Certificate in Volunteer Resources Management (CVRM)
Once CVRM designation is received, Recertification is required every three years giving
you the incentive to continue your education and stay current in best practices of
Volunteer Engagement.
A new option available again this year is an opportunity for applicants to be matched
with a CVRM PAVRO member to provide support through the certification process.
Questions regarding the process or personal qualifications may be made by contacting
the Certification Coordinator at: parvo@parvo.on.ca
New this year is on-line application and payment!

5. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
GUIDLELINES
Steps to get ready:
• Read the guidelines completely
• Gather the information to complete the application
• Work History
• Leadership
• Education (with supporting documents)
• Consents
• Payment ($130.00 + HST = $146.90)
Once the full application, including all forms and payment are received by PAVRO,
guidelines and requirements for written papers will be available. Written papers must
be received within one year of the original application fees or else the submitted fees are
forfeited.
Convenient,
On-Line
Payment!

6. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
GUIDLELINES
• Certificates will be presented at the next PAVRO Annual Conference. Members not in
attendance will receive certificates in the mail after the Conference.
• The names of successful applicants will be announced at the Annual Conference as
well through PAVRO’s communication processes.
• Certification is valid for three years after the Annual Conference presentation. The
date will be identified on the certificate. To maintain certification status,
recertification must be completed every three years.
• Applicants that are unsuccessful in attaining certification will be informed of
deficiencies / areas of improvement and be given an opportunity to re-submit within a
limited time frame. There will be no added fee for the re-submission however, the
edited paper(s) must be received within one year of the application date.

7. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
1. Applicants must be a current registered member of PAVRO
2. Work History:
Applicant is required to provide a history of their experience in administration of
volunteer resources:
- Three (3) years experience in administration of volunteer resources, paid or
volunteer.
- Work history for the last five (5) years demonstrating career direction, outlining
paid and volunteer roles.
List qualified experience in the Work History template of the on-line application.

8. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
3. Education:
Applicant must demonstrate his/her commitment to professional development
through educational opportunities relevant to the Volunteer Engagement profession.
 A minimum of fifty (50) hours is required. The sessions must have occurred
within three (3) years preceding the application date.
 Relevant to the Volunteer Engagement profession.
 Provided by a recognized educational organization, institution or by an
approved private training consultant:
PAVRO recognizes Volunteer Centres, Universities, Community Colleges, CAVR, local
AVAs and other Volunteer Engagement professional associations (both in Canada
and abroad) as providers of professional development for volunteer management,

9. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
3. Education (Continued)
Educational workshops or presentations at the workplace, if relevant to Volunteer
Engagement, may be included when attendees are not limited to Volunteer
Engagement departmental staff,
Educational workshops or presentations at the workplace, if relevant to the
administration of volunteer resources, may be included when attendees are not
limited to volunteer resources departmental staff,
Educational sessions or workshops presented by the applicant if attendees
include others beyond departmental staff.
Other educational providers may be submitted to the PAVRO Certification Committee for
consideration. List qualified sessions in the Education template of the on-line application.

10. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
3. Education (Continued)
Proof of attendance is required in the attendance template. Proof of attendance
may be identified by scanning a copy of the receipt, copy of agenda or the
signature of the presenter or chair of the session.
Imbed the document in the proof column. (Click in the Proof column to insert an
existing document.
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click the arrow next to Object and then click
Object.
Select Create from File tab, Browse and select document, Insert)

11. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
4. Leadership
Applicant must provide documentation demonstrating his/her leadership efforts
within Volunteer Engagement profession in the Leadership template.
A total of fifty (50) points accumulated within the last five (5) years.
Points are awarded for each complete year the applicant holds this this position.
If the position is held for a portion of the year, the points are awarded on a
percentage basis.
Select points from a minimum of 2 categories

12. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
4. Leadership (Continued)
Category 1: Opportunities available through PAVRO
 Any role on the PAVRO Board – 20 Points
 Any role on a PAVRO Committee – 20 Points
 PAVRO Volunteer – 15 Points
 PAVRO Mentors – 10 Points (to a maximum of 20)
 PAVRO Mentees - 15 Points
 Presentation at a PAVRO Conference 5 Points per presentation (to a maximum
of 15 points per year)

13. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
4. Leadership (Continued)
Category 2: Other Volunteer Engagement Opportunities
 Volunteer leadership within a volunteer centre or local association (AVA) – 20
Points
 Committee member within a volunteer centre or local AVA – 15 Points
 Volunteer at a volunteer centre or local AVA – 10 Points per role (Max 20 Points
per year)
 Publishing related to volunteer engagement (ie. Canadian Journal of Volunteer
Resources Management (CJVRM), Charity Village, Energize Inc) – 10 Points per
publication (Max 20 / year)
 Teaching a course in Volunteer Management at the college level – 20 Points
 Delivering presentation related to Volunteer Engagement – 5 Points per
presentation (Max 15)

14. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
4. Leadership (Continued)
Category 3: Other
 Leadership role as a volunteer (ie. President, Board member, Committee Chair,
Coach, Cub Scout Leader) - 15 Points per role per year
 Any volunteer role – (ie. Committee member, Speaker’s Bureau member, parent
volunteer, Meals on Wheel driver, event volunteer) – 5 Points per role per year
to a maximum of 5

15. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
REQUIREMENTS
5. Written Papers
The applicant is required to write three (3) papers.
 Personal Philosophy about the Volunteer Engagement Profession
(1500 to 2000 words)
 National Occupational Standards (1500 to 2000 words)
 Ontario Legislation (500 to 600 words)

16. PAVRO CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION
TIMELINES
Written papers can be submitted between October 2018 and January 2019 to qualify
for presentation of CVRM at the Annual PAVRO Conference.
Submissions received after January 15th, 2019 may not be eligible to receive
certification at Conference if re-write is required.
Adjudicators will review and comment on submissions received between October 2018
to March 31st, 2019 allowing time for edits to be made if required.
NEW on-line application will be available September 2018! Download the
application and complete the form. New this year: payment available on-line.
Questions regarding this process or personal qualifications may be made to the
Certification Coordinator at: pavro@pavro.on.ca

17. Tips For Success
• Read the Guidelines for Written Papers carefully
• Review your Formatting
• Clean spelling and grammar
• Footnotes and Bibliography are required
• References: PAVRO recommends a minimum of 3 sources be included in each
paper. Recommended references to include are PAVRO, Canadian Code for
Volunteer Involvement, Ontario Legislation, and other resources related to the
subject.
• When you think you are done – PROOFREAD! Share with someone you trust to get
feedback for clarity and ease of reading
Consider getting matched
with a CVRM PAVRO
member during the
application process.