CRISIS COMMUNICATION
in cases of Fraud or Embezzlement
Your number one communications goal during any crisis situation is to protect the integrity and reputationof 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:
Implement a staff-wide media policy
Identification of a crisis team
Identify & train primary spokespeople
Prepare internal and external communication plans
Drill
WHAT TO DO WHEN A CRISIS HAPPENS
The following steps will help you move through a crisis and better insulate your reputation:
Notify necessary law enforcement/public safety officials
Notify key decision makers and support both inside & out (Management Team, legal counsel, financial counsel, communication counsel)
Conference call or meeting of the crisis team
Decisions: Timing, Distributing, and the Nature of the Response
Internal and External Communication