Regina’s hard work, dedication and perseverance has paid off
We are so proud to announce that Regina Casini, our brilliant and committed Volunteer Coordinator, has been awarded the credential, Certified in Volunteer Administration. Making her officially, Regina Casini, CVA. The CVA is the only internationally recognized credential in the profession of volunteer administration, joining the 1100 professionals worldwide who currently hold this credential, and Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center is lucky enough to call her ours!
To earn this designation, applicants demonstrate the achievement of 80 points in the areas of education, professional experience, and the application of core competencies. Successful applicants become candidates for the CVA who then complete a two-hour examination testing knowledge, application, and analysis of skills in six competencies related to the mobilization and leadership of volunteer engagement. Successful CVAs also pledge to work within the professional code of ethics.
Congratulations Regina Casini, CVA. We are so very proud of your dedication and perseverance!
About Regina Casini, CVA:
Regina Casini found Michelle’s Place in 2017 at a health fair. She was so touched by the amazing things that they did for their clients that she donated and took a free pen. Just 4 months later Regina was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, she knew exactly where to go. As a client, she attended a support group and art classes. Every time she was at the center, she saw how truly special this place is.
After Regina completed treatment, she decided she wanted to give back, so she became a volunteer. A year later the Volunteer Coordinator position was announced, and she knew it was what she was meant to do. It was her “Why?” Regina’s journey through cancer was tough but Michelle’s Place and the friends she found here was her silver lining. She feels so lucky to be able to work with over 120 caring and dedicated volunteers every day.
About Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration:
The Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA) developed the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) program in the early 1980s as a means of professional development for individuals who mobilize and manage volunteers. The program grew slowly but steadily, certifying over 400 individuals in the United States and Canada. In 2000, AVA revised the program to update the process to meet the needs of current practitioners, reassess the core competencies on which it was based and ensure compliance with best practices in professional certification.
After a successful pilot of the new process in 2001, the program continued to grow with positive feedback from the field. A part-time contractor and over 50 volunteer committee members managed the program, making decisions about test items, scoring of portfolios, selection of reference materials and recertification. An additional 255 professionals were credentialed from January 2001 to August 2006.
About Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center:
Michelle’s Place is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the only All-Cancer resource center in the Counties of San Bernadino, Riverside, and surrounding areas. Founded in 2001 as a breast cancer resource center, the organization expanded in 2018 to serve individuals and families with a diagnosis of any kind of cancer. Michelle’s Place currently serves about 2,300 cancer patients with more than 14,000 free resources annually. All programs and services are free to the community.