Crisis Response

When hot topics catch your community's attention, such as disciplinary action, legal issues, or labor/management conflicts, one of the hardest parts is figuring out what to say when you can't say much. Saying ‘no comment' just won't do, so what can you say?

Walk through a veteran communication strategist’s tried and true approach to engaging the community appropriately and respectfully around these kinds of difficult issues. Come away with key ideas and talking points you can share with your leadership team so everyone can approach the issue consistently and appropriately... and so nobody feels caught off guard in the grocery store produce aisle when a curious community member asks about the topic du jour.

Declining enrollment, lower funding, and higher wages can lead toward an uncomfortable fiscal reality – closing a school. It is perhaps the most painful and emotional step to take and generates the most passionate opposition. Even if support is elusive, there are ways to engage your community to generate understanding of the realities and pressures guiding the decision.

We will discuss how to navigate the typically turbulent waters of school closure while maintaining trust with your larger community. We’ll also explore how to use timelines and history recaps to honor the legacy and history of a school and its people, and how to help staff, students, and families navigate the dynamics of change. 

The way you navigate the first 24 to 72 hours of a critical incident sets the tone for how your schools will get through the crisis. When a serious issue is unfolding, staff and families are mad or traumatized, and the media is calling ... you want to convey calm competence. Handle the situation poorly, and the negative effects could live on for years. Handle it well, and your organization can actually grow stronger.

Join veteran communications strategist and crisis response manager, J.Marie, to learn how to conduct a quick, effective situation analysis, identify the constituents you need to connect with first, develop key messages, and craft and implement a messaging timeline. You'll come away with a basic communications plan outline you can customize and apply to any critical incident, as well as tips and strategies to help you be ready to do and say the right things when a challenging issue arises.