CVA Study Group

The AL!VE CVA Study Group assists volunteer engagement professionals in their journey toward earning the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) by providing participants with access to a supportive learning community, focused study materials, and guidance from those who have successfully achieved the certification.

Overview

Our CVA Study Group is a 9-week program with weekly meetings occurring on the same day each week. Each cohort begins with a kickoff session to review the program, its resources, and the textbook used. After the kickoff session, meetings will cover the core competencies of the CVA exam, including volunteer program management, leadership, and strategic planning. Participants will engage in discussions, review practice questions, and have opportunities to clarify challenging concepts in a collaborative environment.

I can't imagine studying for the exam without the structure provided by the study group as well as the expertise of the AL!VE volunteers that lead the group and the guest speakers.

Timeline

Our program is offered twice a year and is aligned with the timing of the CVA exam, which is administered by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA).

AL!VE's CVA Study Group Program Timeline

CohortRegistrationStart MonthEnd Month
SpringDecemberJanuaryMarch
FallJuneJulySeptember


CCVA's CVA Exam Timeline

Registration DeadlineExam Window
March 1April 1-14
September 1October 1-14

Benefits

  • In-depth understanding of the CVA certification content and core competencies
  • Collaborative learning environment where participants can share insights, ask questions, and support each other
  • Increased confidence in preparing for the CVA exam with structured study and peer support

Outcomes

  • Since Fall 2023, there have been:
    • 122 program registrations
    • 58 CVA applications
    • 38 CVAs
  • In Spring 2025, 38% of registrants received their CVA certification with an average attendance rate of 46% in each of the 9 study weeks.
The study group not only reviewed key topics from the exam, but broke them down in a way that made sense to me. It’s one thing to read the material in a textbook—it’s another to understand how to apply those concepts both in real-world situations and on the exam. The group helped bridge that gap. Their explanations helped me connect the dots and confidently tackle the exam questions.

Access

Product Badge Members Only
Product Badge Free

Audience

  • Early Careerists (0-2 years)
  • Emerging Leaders (3-6)
  • Exemplary Leaders (7-10)
  • Experts (11+)

Registration

Registration will be available for members via newsroom, newsletter, and social media announcements twice a year.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to AL!VE volunteers and CVAs Sherrill Isenhower, Lynn Lauritzen, and Rosemary Badger for all their efforts to prepare the program, facilitate learning and connecting, and evaluate our outcomes. Thanks also to the many guest speakers and facilitators who enhance the learning and experience for our participants.

Thanks also to our partners at the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration for helping advance the field together.