Association Leadership - November/December 2007 - (Page 24)

organizational adaptability Crisis Calling N By Vicki Gervickas When the spotlight is on you, and not in a good way o one has time for a crisis. As Henry Kissinger quipped, “Next week, there can’t be any crisis. My schedule is already full.” But, regardless, things happen and people often remember the reaction to the crisis better than what spawned it. For association executives, who are on the front lines when a situation develops, having a thought-out plan in place can make all the difference in the aftermath. These association executives have dealt recently with public relations nightmares, and share their insight on how to be prepared when the spotlight’s glare turns on, full force. none of the illnesses happened in Texas, our members wanted to know how to reassure their customers that their spinach salad wasn’t going to make them sick. We’re very fortunate that the national restaurant association, with which we’re afﬁliated, does have incredible resources for this kind of thing, and so we get the data we need from them and then disseminate it out locally.” Serving as Resource Saari says being a resource for the membership is a key role for the association, particularly when it comes to dealing with the media. “We get a lot of calls from our members, who say, ‘Channel 7 called and they’re going to be here tomorrow, and they want to talk about this.’ Our ﬁrst job is to calm people down, and then go through some talking points with them. We are a sounding board and we can offer reassurance and responses.” TRA has also been a resource on immigration issues, such as when nationwide immigration marches and protests were held against the foie gras served in some Austin restaurants. In both cases, Saari said, the association was prepared with a response, We Have a Problem Wendy Saari, director of communications for the Texas Restaurant Association, knows all too well about dealing with the kitchen’s heat. Most recently, the association ﬁelded calls about the nationwide spinach recall. “All PR is local,” she said. “Though Plan B 24 Association LEADERSHIP | November/December 2007

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - November/December 2007

Association Leadership - November/December 2007 Contents Chairman’s Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions TSAE Annual Meeting and Educational Conference Award Winners Event Sponsors Conference Highlights Adaptability During Difficult Times/Reinvented Associations 7 Measures of Success: Organizational Adaptability Crisis Calling Association Case Study: Who is Minding the Store – External Factors Between the Covers New Members Community Spotlight El Paso Index to Advertisers/Advertisers.com Board of Directors

Association Leadership - November/December 2007

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