Komen Foundation Continues to Suffer for Politically Driven January Decision

One poorly thought-out decision can lead to a crisis. And that crisis can go on and on.

Case in point: Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You remember how the board decided to give in to political arm twisting and find an excuse to halt funding to Planned Parenthood, reportedly over the abortion controversy. The ban lasted three days, but the crisis lives on. For more background, see my blog posts on April 21, March 22, March 5, February 10, February 4 and February 2, all 2012.

Nancy Brinker, the founder, CEO, and public face  of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is stepping down as CEO. She does so with a "heavy heart," but the organization denies her change in responsibilities has anything to do with the Planned Parenthood debacle. In addition, word that President Liz Thompson is resigning was announced at the same time. Two board members are leaving the Dallas-based organization as well.

"After the Planned Parenthood episode, at least a half-dozen other high-ranking executives resigned, and organizers of many Race for the Cure events — the group's signature fundraiser — have seen participation decline." (http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-08-10/komen-founder-to-step-down-as-chief-executive)

Komen's excuse in January was that it had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from future grants because it was the subject of an investigation launched by a Florida congressman, at the urging of anti-abortion groups.

"I apologized to everyone. I think we all made mistakes and we addressed them and we're through that and we're moving on," Brinker told the Wall Street Journal.

Unfortunately, a crisis doesn't go away with an apology. Although the active supporters of the Planned Parenthood snub have gone away, negative perceptions of the organization haven't. In the words of George Costanza, "You can stuff your sorries in a sack, mister!" I'm sorry is just step one. Changing personnel is often step two. Changing public perception is step three and the hardest step of all. That's the wall facing Susan G. Komen.

Link Offered to Wise Letter to Paterno Family

Sean Clancy, a sometimes consultant with the Institute for Crisis Management, wrote an "Open Letter to Paterno Family." It's good crisis communications advice for Jay Paterno and family.

"Your family’s growing problem and it is a sizable one, begins with setting aside the natural emotional reaction this type of trauma generates so clear well-reasoned decision-making follows. Unfortunately, the family’s response following the release of  Louis Freeh’s report on July 12 clearly illustrates emotional thinking and the July 16 news report that the family intends to fund its own independent report is equally misguided.

"Jay, the American public views the extended Paterno family as collateral damage in this disgusting affair. We are an understanding and forgiving public – to a point. My concern is your family may not be accepting the advice of your PR counsel about how your responses are teetering on the edge of whether public sentiment will remain supportive."

For the entire post, read http://www.evolvingworldcommunications.com/blog/crisis-counselors-open-letter-to-paterno-family/

This Little Piggy Went to Market, This Little Piggy Spread the Flu

Are you planning to go to the fair this month? If so, watch out for those pigs. Health officials are urging people to be cautious after the Centers for Disease Control reported an increase in the number of swine flu cases linked to pigs at fairs across the country.

The CDC said there were 12 new cases of the H3N2v virus in just the past week in Hawaii, Ohio, and Indiana, and all were linked to people exposed to swine at agricultural fairs. Those at high risk for the flu — children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weak immune systems — should avoid exposure to pigs.

"Health officials pay close attention to swine flu cases: Strains of the virus caused a pandemic in 2009 that led to thousands of deaths in the United States, according to the CDC. There were mass vaccinations and shortages of the vaccine." (http://enidnews.com/state/x328571507/Citing-swine-flu-cases-CDC-urges-caution-for-fairgoers)

The Montgomery County, Md., fair is scheduled to begin Friday. Dozens of hand-sanitizing stations, hand-washing stations, and portable restrooms with sinks will be available to allow people to keep clean. Martin Svrcek, executive director of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, said safety is his most important priority for the fair.

I think back to last year's Indiana State Fair, where a stage collapsed and led to deaths and lawsuits. The man in charge of disasters wasn't trained and didn't even know crisis response was one of his responsibilities. He works somewhere else now. Fair prices are no longer fair. They're higher this year to recover costs of last year's crisis. Any fair that doesn't have a crisis response plan and crisis communications plan is tempting fate. Usually, fate eventually wins.

So far, there's no evidence H3N2v can spread from person to person. If the virus mutates and does spread, we could have another deadly pandemic. For more on what all organizations should be doing in preparation for an inevitable flu pandemic, see the blog of Larry Smith, Institute for Crisis Management, on August 3 at http://www.crisisconsultants.blogspot.com/. It can be mind boggling, but extensive preparation could be crucial.

Catching Up to the Hate Mongers, Who Constitute Smoldering Crises

Musings from a refreshed crisis communications blogger just back from vacation who's trying to get caught up.

There's something wrong with this picture. (Not the vacation; it was great.) I thought the United States was founded to preserve freedom and protect us from crises caused by hatred. I thought we were free to worship as we wanted. And I thought we could believe what we wanted to believe -- providing it didn't infringe on others' rights to believe.

Take note, Chick-fil-A bashers. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." (Voltaire)

Here are three recent examples of crises caused by attempts to terrorize and restrict the rights of others:

• "The man who shot and killed six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin was a six-year military veteran who legally purchased the handgun used in the attack and who had other weapons stored at his home, police said Monday. Officials have identified Wade Michael Page as the primary suspect in the Sunday rampage at the temple in Oak Creek, a suburb just south of Milwaukee. The shooting also critically wounded a police officer."  (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0806/Sikh-temple-attack-Gunman-was-in-racist-hardcore-rock-band) Page was shot and killed by police. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups in the US, said Page was “a frustrated neo-Nazi” who played in a racist rock band called End Apathy. The group recorded for Label 56, a record label known for its links with white supremacist group

• "An occupancy permit could be granted today to the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (Tennessee) mosque. A final inspection is scheduled for 9 a.m., said ICM Board Chairman Essam Fathy.... The congregation hopes to hold prayer this week, as part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.... The congregation, formed 30 years ago, has faced fierce opposition, vandalism, threats and lawsuits over construction of its 12,000-square-foot mosque.... In July, a federal judge ruled the congregation has a right to worship there as soon as the building is ready."  (http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120807/NEWS01/308070039/Murfreesboro-mosque-undergoes-final-inspection-today)
• "A mosque in Joplin, Missouri, was burned to the ground early Monday, just over a month after an attempted arson at the Islamic center, officials said. Authorities are investigating the cause of the latest fire.... Kimberly Kester, another member, said the blaze was so intense that the building's bricks were still sizzling hours after the fire. Carl Junction Fire Chief Bill Dunn called it a 'complete loss.' Though investigators haven't determined the cause, Kester suspects it to be another incident of arson. 'I think this act of hate will bring us together,' she told CNN iReport."  (http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/06/us/missouri-mosque-burned/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1)

All three of these facilities and hundreds of others face similar crises, simply because of the religion of the people who occupy them. See also, Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A. Same story, different religion. Usually, a majority in the affected communities, as with Chick-fil-A, rally in support of freedom of religion. Nevertheless, a smoldering crisis will remain throughout the foreseeable future for all.

I think it's time for another vacation.

Forecast for Tuesday Morning: Cloudy With a Chance of Crisis -- or Maybe Rainbows

Furniture retailer Tuesday Morning has been charged with discrimination by its former CEO. Kathleen Mason claimed she was fired three months after the board learned she had breast cancer. She seeks unspecified damages and restoration of her job. Mason’s attorney, Rogge Dunn, said one board member even made a sarcastic comment about her wig.

The Dallas-based retailer announced in June that it had fired Mason, who had been CEO since 2009. At the same time, it lowered its financial outlook. According to the Associated Press, the company said it was time to transition leadership to a “new executive who will guide the company through its next stage.” Mason said she was surprised by the move.

To make the crisis even worse, or better depending on your point of view, Tuesday Morning reported in April that its third-quarter loss increased as fewer people visited its stores and bought less.

Dunn said that Mason informed the board of her cancer so they wouldn't be alarmed if she began losing her hair because of her treatments. But he said the board’s attitude toward Mason soon began to change. Board members started contacting Mason’s subordinates directly, which they hadn’t done before.

"Representatives for Tuesday Morning couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday, but said last week the company believes her complaint was without merit and that it would 'vigorously defend' itself." (http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/blog/2012/08/attorney-tuesday-morning-changed-tune.html?ana=yfcpc)

Dunn claimed Mason was pushing the issue because, “A lot of times there’s overreaction and misunderstanding by employers about cancer.”

Tuesday Morning may have a good defense because of the mounting financial losses. Perhaps it was time for a new executive and a new direction. But it needs to make its case well because Mason will have public sympathy on her side. Winning in the court of law isn't the same as winning in the court of public opinion.

Loyal Chick-fil-A Customers and Christians Demonstrate Their Support for Chick-fil-A and its President

Chick-fil-A's customers and devout Christians helped the chain respond successfully to a potential crisis, according to Bulldog Reporter's Daily Dog.

Mike Huckabee created a Facebook page urging a "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" on August 1 — when supporters of Chick-fil-A could show support for its president, Dan Cathy, and his statements opposing gay marriage. He asked customers to demonstrate their loyalty by showing up at a store and buying a sandwich. More than 620,000 people said they would participate.

"And participate they did — throngs of people weighed in on the debate at stores across the country on Wednesday, buying chicken sandwiches to show their support...."  Huckabee called for a vocal response to the backlash. "'The goal is simple: Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick fil-A on Wednesday, August 1,'" wrote Huckabee, a former pastor. 

Fans posted photos of themselves on Facebook holding bags proudly displaying the restaurant's bright red logo. "'It's really hard to find people or leaders that stand for something good and stay firm,' one patron told CNN's iReport while waiting 30 minutes for his lunch at a packed Chick-fil-A in Clarksville, Tennessee." Another diner told iReport he had lunch at Chick-fil-A in Owensboro, Kentucky, and planned to return with his whole family for dinner.

"Political leaders who have criticized the chain, like the mayors of Boston and Chicago, are hypocritical, he said. 'I think it is ironic that the so-called forces of tolerance and inclusion are calling for the exclusion of Chick-fil-A from cities simply because of the beliefs of their chairman.... People that disagree with me have a right to their opinion, and I have a right to mine,' he said, CNN reports."