Preparing Your Association for the Next Crisis

Associations have to be prepared to deal with sudden crises such as media criticism, negative external events and unforeseen leadership turnover.

Begin with making a list of what keeps you up at night. Discuss that list with key stakeholders and create a comprehensive set of potential crises. Since communicating to your audience in a timely manner is critical to maintaining your reputation, determine in advance how you would react to and address each of those items.

Finally, update that crisis plan on an ongoing basis, and practice potential crisis scenarios and responses with both management and the board of directors.

– Greg Wilson, Curley Company