CFRE certificants from across Canada gathered in Toronto, ON in mid-September to participate in training that will help assure the applicability and relevance of the CFRE for Canadian fundraisers.  Joining CFRE International’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) Corps were the following volunteers: 
 

• Cynthia Armour, CFRE  with Elderstone Resource Development; Cavan, ON
• Kathleen Butler, CFRE with Okanagan College; Kelowna, BC
• Paulanne Jushkevich, CFRE with St. Mary's Hospital Foundation; Montréal, QC
• Rob Lavery, CFRE with the Southern Ontario Library Service; Toronto, ON
• LuAnn Lovlin, CFRE with the The Winnipeg Foundation; Wimmipeg, MB
• Belinda Pyle, CFRE with The Pyle Group; St. Lazare, QC
• Sonya Swiridjuk, CFRE with Stephen Thomas; Toronto, ON
• Linda Syrota-Sullivan, CFRE with the Canadian Red Cross; Toronto, ON
• Dree Thomson-Diamond, CFRE is a development consultant; Edmonton, AB
• Teresa Vasilopoulos, CFRE with the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation; Toronto, ON

 
Subject Matter Expert Corps volunteers agree to make a two (2) year commitment to writing draft test questions.  The group spent two days learning how certification exams are developed and being trained to write test questions.  Following the training time, the group rolled up their sleeves and began drafting items.
 
One member commented, “I have a whole new respect for the exam and am even more sure of my commitment to its promotion.”   Participants learn about all aspects of developing certification exams from the job analysis through setting the passing point before getting into the specifics of question writing. 
 
Another participant expressed that she was, “surprised – and impressed – by the amount of methodology behind the process.  CFRE International is extremely dedicated to the complexity of developing a fair and relevant exam.”  All content covered on the exam is grounded in research found through the job analysis process and all test questions must be linked to a specific task or knowledge area of the Test Content Outline to make sure that it is testing knowledge or skills essential to fundraising competency.   In addition, the correct answer to each question must be supported by at least two specific references in commonly accepted professional texts that are found on the CFRE Resource Reading List.
 
Test questions drafted by Subject Matter Experts will be reviewed by a second group of trained CFRE certificants who will edit and refine draft questions, as well as verifying reference sources.  Once approved by the CFRE Exam Committee, test questions are then pre-tested.
 
Pre-testing means that questions are included on the CFRE examination but are not scored and do not affect a candidate’s score.  CFRE International can then collect statistical data on how questions perform before determining if they are suitable for appearing in a scored exam.  The pre-test questions are not identified to candidates on the exam so that candidate performance on the item is as if it were a scored question.  If a pre-test question has statistics that meet a number of standards, it can appear later as a scored question. 
 
Inclusion of a diverse group of fundraisers engaged in the daily work of the profession brings credibility to the exam and the certification process.    Not only are Subject Matter Experts contributing to the country-specific questions for the exam, but to the item bank as a whole.  Questions written by a Canadian fundraiser could end up on an exam for professionals in New Zealand.  The ability to contribute to a global body of knowledge makes the CFRE especially valuable as an international standard.
 
Performance of individual test questions is monitored continuously by CFRE International and its professional testing agency.  CFRE International is currently developing new exams which will begin to be administered to candidates beginning in 2006.