Crisis Response

Select a training from the list below to learn more!

Featured
What to Say When You Can’t Say Much
What to Say When You Can’t Say Much

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.

Navigating School Closures
Navigating School Closures

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. 

Crisis Response Communications Skills for School Leaders
Crisis Response Communications Skills for School Leaders

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.

Training Details

Fill your group training with as many attendees as you'd like for one low price! Depending on the topic and your team's needs, we will provide one or two presenters from the J.Marie & Associates team.

  • Our standard virtual trainings include 60 minutes of prepared course material with an additional 30 minutes of Q&A included at no additional charge. Attendees who are pressed for time can get the essential content in 60 minutes, but our presenters will stay for another half hour of dialogue and Q&A to deepen participants' connection with the material. We encourage attendees to "bring a problem with you" so we can help you apply the class concepts to your real world issues, ensuring you walk away with a set of strategies and applicable next steps.

  • Virtual trainings are live-facilitated on Zoom or the platform of your choice.

    In-person trainings are arranged on a case-by-case basis depending on your location and the instructor’s availability. Please contact us for more information.

  • Pricing varies depending on the training. Please reach out to us to learn more.

    Discounts for Small Organizations: Small organizations always save 20%. This includes:

    • School districts with fewer than 2,000 FTE students.

    • Associations, nonprofits, and public organizations with 8 or fewer staff.

    Bottom line: We never want a team to go without this training due to budgetary constraints, so we also offer a sliding scale upon request. Please reach out to discuss this option.

  • All of the classes listed in our course catalog can be mixed, matched, and customized to fit your particular needs. We are often brought in to provide customized training that blends into facilitation of work sessions, strategic planning, or team meetings. Reach out to discuss details.

  • Once you've found a course you'd like to bring to your group, fill out the Contact Us form. We’ll reach out to get the training scheduled for a day and time that works well for your group.

    If you would like to create a customized training and/or online facilitation session, please contact us to schedule a time to discuss your specific needs and associated costs for services.

Communications & Leadership Group Trainings

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