Crisis Communications 101
Churches and nonprofits must communicate clearly with the media, members and donors when things don’t go as planned.
A first impression is a lasting impression. That’s why it’s important for churches, ministries and nonprofit organizations to be prepared to respond to the media, their members and the general public in the event of a crisis. Word travels fast in our era of instant communication. As a result, organizations need to be ready with a response plan before a crisis occurs. But how can we respond to a crisis before it happens? Of course we can’t. But we can create a crisis communications team and process while things are calm. This includes establishing relationships with experts, such as an attorney or media professional, whom you will need if a crisis breaks out. Every situation will be different, but your response can be more effective if you are not beginning at ground zero. In addition, having some basic insights about how the media functions will give you a quiet sense of confidence.
Scenarios that require a response
Still skeptical? “What could happen at our quiet little church?” Or, “We just run a food pantry. Why do we need to prepare for a ‘crisis.’”? Here are some real scenarios that have put churches and nonprofits in the news:
Sexual abuse: It’s the number one cause of litigation against churches.
An act of violence during a worship service or event.
An act of violence occurs after hours, but on your property (parking lot, etc.).
Food poisoning related to a meal served at your facility.
Embezzlement.
A staff member is arrested.
A cyber attack results in financial loss and exposure of the personal information of members/donors.
Neighbors launch a noisy protest and attempt to stop your facility expansion.
A church/nonprofit vehicle accident results in injuries or deaths during travel to a sponsored activity.
A community member objects to a church’s doctrine and membership requirements and files a lawsuit alleging discrimination and emotional distress.
Those are probably enough examples to give an idea of the daily risks that public-facing organizations can experience. To be of service to our clients, Ministry Pacific is providing these crisis communications resources. Featuring guests Megan Neher and Roy Harryman, this webinar lays out the challenges churches and nonprofits may face, how to establish a plan, and best practices for dealing with the media.
Summary of Key Points in “Crisis Communications 101 for Churches and Nonprofits” Webinar
Navigating the Storm: Effective Crisis Communications for Nonprofits
Building Resilience: Preparing Your Organization for Potential Crises
The Art of Communication: Strategies for Crisis Management
Crisis Ready: Essential Planning for Nonprofits and Churches
Responding with Purpose: Proactive Crisis Management Insights
Media Mastery: Engaging Effectively During a Crisis
From Risk to Response: Crafting Your Crisis Communication Strategy
Transparency in Turmoil: How to Handle Crises with Integrity
Crisis Preparedness 101: Essential Steps for Nonprofits
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Crisis Communication Success Stories
Sequence of Topics Covered: crisis communications for churches and nonprofits
Introduction
Welcome to the webinar
Introduction of Roy Harryman and guest Megan Neher
Overview of Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International
Mission and activities
Local and global focus
Notable disaster response efforts
Importance of Crisis Communication
Need for a crisis communication plan
Responsibilities during a crisis
Impact of social media on communication
Preparing for a Crisis
Challenges of unplanned crises
Importance of identifying key vulnerabilities
Examples of potential crises
Identifying Risks and Responses
Importance of a team approach
Specific risks for churches and nonprofits
Prioritizing risks to focus on
Communication Strategies
Establishing a crisis response team
Importance of legal counsel in crisis situations
Preparing messaging for different audiences
Dealing with the Media
Understanding the media's role
Best practices for interacting with journalists
Importance of transparency and messaging
Responding to a Crisis
Immediate actions to take once a crisis is identified
Importance of written statements
Managing public emotions and communication
Questions and Answers
Addressing common questions about crisis communication
Tips for bridging conversations
Resources for crisis communication planning
Conclusion
Encouragement to start planning for crisis communication
Offer of consultation services from Ministry Pacific
Final thoughts from Megan Near and Roy Harryman
Timestamped Overview of Crisis Communications for churches and nonprofits
00:00 Introduction
Roy Harryman introduces the webinar on crisis communications.
Guest speaker Megan Neher, a public relations expert, is introduced.
01:30 About Heart to Heart International
Megan discusses the organization's global humanitarian efforts and local initiatives.
Emphasizes the mission to provide access to health for those in need.
03:45 Importance of Crisis Communication Plans
Roy asks why churches and nonprofits need crisis communication plans.
Megan explains that silence during a crisis sends a message and highlights the rapid spread of news on social media.
06:15 Preparing for Unscheduled Crises
Discussion on the difficulty of scheduling crises and the need for preparedness.
Emphasis on identifying key vulnerabilities relevant to the organization.
11:00 Risk Identification and Management
Megan discusses prioritizing risks based on statistical likelihood.
Examples provided on risk management, particularly around child safety and volunteer screening.
15:30 Involvement of Teams in Risk Assessment
Importance of involving various team members in identifying risks.
The benefit of diverse perspectives in understanding organizational vulnerabilities.
19:00 Addressing Basic Safety Risks
Examples of basic safety risks in church environments, like parking lot security and emergency drills.
Importance of proactive measures to prevent crises before they occur.
24:15 Communication Strategies with Media
Discusses the formation of a crisis response team before a crisis occurs.
Importance of understanding media dynamics and assigning specific roles within the team.
29:00 Engaging Legal Counsel
Importance of having legal counsel prepared before a crisis.
Need for attorneys familiar with nonprofit work to guide communication without shutting it down.
34:00 Responding to Actual Crises
Steps to take immediately when a crisis is suspected, including gathering facts.
Differentiating between crises that involve litigation and those that do not.
40:30 Effective Media Communication
Importance of sticking to prepared statements during media interactions.
Strategies to remain calm and composed, including rehearsing answers ahead of time.
46:00 The Role of Spokespersons
Choosing the right spokesperson for media interactions is crucial.
Preparing key messages and understanding the media's angle can help in effective communication.
52:00 Questions and Answers
Addressing viewer questions about starting crisis communication plans and bridging techniques in responses.
Encouragement to start developing plans despite feeling overwhelmed.
58:00 Closing Remarks
Roy summarizes the discussion on crisis communication planning.
Thanks to Megan for her insights and emphasizes the available consulting services for nonprofits.