CRISIS COMMUNICATION in cases of Fraud or Embezzlement

Your number one communications goal during any crisis situation is to protect the integrity and reputation of your organization. This is especially important when fraud or embezzlement hits a nonprofit organization. You can better protect your organization’s reputation and image by planning ahead, acting wisely during the crisis, and following up immediately after the crisis is under control.

It is important to note that there are a variety of situations which represent a crisis facing a nonprofit organization, and decision-makers should keep these factors in mind from the outset when dealing with a fraud or embezzlement:

1) Safety and Security of Systems

2) Immediacy

3) Level of Organizational Involvement

WHAT TO DO BEFORE A CRISIS HAPPENS

The following steps are necessary to prepare for evaluating and responding to a crisis:

1. Implement a staff-wide media policy

2. Identification of a crisis team

3. Identify & train primary spokespeople

4. Prepare internal and external communication plans

5. Drill

WHAT TO DO WHEN A CRISIS HAPPENS

The following steps will help you move through a crisis and better insulate your reputation:

1. Notify necessary law enforcement/public safety officials

2. Notify key decision makers and support both inside & out (Management Team, legal counsel, financial counsel, communication counsel)

3. Conference call or meeting of the crisis team

4. Decisions: Timing, Distributing, and the Nature of the Response

5. Internal and External Communication

#crisis #pr