Non-Profit SIG: Crisis Communications – Controlling the Message

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS – CONTROLLING THE MESSAGE

“It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and only a few seconds to destroy one.”

In less than a second, an organization can experience a crippling PUBLIC RELATIONS NIGHTMARE that sends donors running away, makes employees questioning their roles and keeps volunteers at bay. It’s important to know how to effectively navigate, manage and take charge of the crisis. Seasoned professionals know that while no one can stop a crisis from happening, many can positively influence the outcome.

This Nonprofit Marketing Special Interest Group event will speak with highly successful professionals in communications, journalism, programming and the nonprofit space. Join us to learn from real-world experiences and strategies that can help you or your organization handle a crisis.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

If you are a professional in the fields of marketing, communications, PR, agency, nonprofit leader, board member of a nonprofit or not-for-profit and anyone seeking more knowledge in dealing with a multitude of potential issues across social media, TV/broadcast media, news, local and national affairs.

KEY LEARNINGS

• Fundamentals of dealing with a crisis
• How to communicate/handle speaking with media
• How to communicate effectively to multiple audiences
• How to deal with legal matters that may be public
• Key rules to abide by to end a crisis sooner vs later

AUDIENCE TAKE-AWAYS

• Nonprofit Marketing
• Enhanced networking with marketing and communications/PR professionals
• Cheat Sheet on handling a PR/crisis

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SPEAKERS

Gail Cooksey, CEO, Cooksey Communications

Gail founded Cooksey Communications in 1994 to leverage her extensive corporate public relations experience and deep network of Dallas-Fort Worth civic, media, government and business contacts into high-impact results for the firm’s clients. A former journalist who transitioned to corporate and agency public relations, she has tremendous insight into crafting messages that will resonate with the media and key target audiences. Gail and the Cooksey team have a keen understanding of a broad range of industries and issues through their collective backgrounds.

She serves on the board of directors of the 35W Coalition, North Texas Commission, Dallas Friday Group and the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. Gail’s also a member of the Public Relations Society of America and a graduate of Leadership North Texas. In 2010, the Fort Worth Business Press honored her as one of the year’s Great Women of Texas, and under her leadership, Cooksey Communications has been honored as a three-time Blue Ribbon Finalist for the U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year.

Prior to establishing the firm in 1994, Gail served as a senior vice president in charge of marketing for various banks in Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree in journalism, with honors, from the University of Texas at Austin.

Neil Foote, President/CEO, Foote Communications and Principal Lecturer at UNT Mayborn School of Journalism

Neil is President/CEO of Foote Communications LLC, a multi-media company that specializes in public relations, social media strategies, presentations, marketing, website development/project management, content management/writing/editing copy and consulting. The company offers a full range of services to help individuals, companies, non-profits to publicize their activities and events, develop graphics and presentations and assist with web development and strategy, leveraging his contacts in media around the country. The firm uses traditional public relations tools as well as assists clients in developing social media strategies or evaluating their existing ones. Beyond PR and media strategy, Foote Communications can help people or companies develop strategies to target multicultural markets, helping clients with copy writing for marketing materials and websites.

As Principal Lecturer at the University of North Texas, Foote teaches a wide range of journalism classes, including online journalism, reporting of public affairs, business journalism, advanced reporting and writing, media management, entrepreneurship and the business of journalism. He combines his real-life experience with theory, case study analysis, in-class discussions and practical exercises. His “Digital and Social Media” course focuses on the evolution of the Internet and its impact on daily journalism and the media. He also helps prepare students to become more knowledgeable and technologically savvy about digital media tools, including blogging and working as “backpack journalists”.

He also is the Co-director of the Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference, billed as one of the nation’s premier events for journalists, authors, editors, agents, and publishers.

Alicia M. Morgan, Vice President of Education and Programs, Frontiers of Flight Museum

Alicia Morgan is the Vice President of Education and Programs at Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. Alicia is responsible for managing the development and execution of school and public programs through STEM outreach initiatives, aviation and spaceflight history exploration. Honoree for the Women of Color in STEM Conference K-12 Promotion of Education Award. A graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Science Engineering and New Mexico State University with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. Her professional engineering experience includes working at Fortune 500 companies such as Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, and Raytheon. Committed to lifelong learning she has successfully maintained leadership excellence in the for-profit and nonprofit sector through K-12 STEM/STEAM education outreach, college/workforce readiness initiatives, strategic planning and program development. As a J Rêve International Global Arts Education Fellow, TEDx Speaker and Public Voices Fellow she frequently provides insight into the power of effective communication through success and by embracing failure.

This event is sponsored by YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

www.ymcadallas.org

Parking Information

• Limited Complementary Parking on basement level of venue – enter from Ross Ave.
• Additional paid parking available next door at Ross Tower Garage. Metered street parking may also be available

Members receive $10 off your member ticket. To receive your $10 discount, click on Enter Promotional Code, enter your member number and click Apply.

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Please note DFW AMA’s refund policy: Tickets are nonrefundable unless cancellation is requested via email at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event.