Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University will offer a crisis communication workshop 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 1, in Room 143 of the Camp Building.

The interactive workshop will use case studies, scenarios and role-playing to provide participants with the basic tools and skills necessary to manage and minimize the potentially harmful effects of a crisis situation.

The workshop is especially designed for those responsible for preparing an organization for such an event, organization spokespersons and supervisors whose employees may be interviewed during a crisis situation.

Participants will learn to identify a crisis and to differentiate between a crisis and an emergency, how to develop appropriate actions at the five stages of a crisis, the components of a crisis communication plan and how to conduct a risk inventory.

Participants also will review tips for interacting with the news media, including the role of the spokesperson; guidelines for working with lawyers, partners and stakeholders; and how to create key messages.

Workshop leader Michael Caudill is a visiting instructor in crisis communication and intercultural communication for the communication department at WCU.

Caudill received a master’s degree in intercultural communication from the School of International Service at the American University in Washington, D.C., and has held positions at the national and international level with American Red Cross Disaster Services and the Pan American Health Organization’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief.

Caudill also is the managing partner of InterCultural Advantage, a consulting practice that helps organizations prepare for and respond to crises.

The cost of the workshop is $59. To register, contact Western's Division of Educational Outreach at (828) 227-7397, toll free at (800) 928-4968, or visit http://learn.wcu.edu.

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 14, 2009