Public Relations (PR): Management Case Study

Group Members:
Stan A.
Amanda L.
Brittney S.
Natalie G.
Whitney T

General Instruction:
In each management case study assume that you are intimately involved with each agency and in each
situation. Your task is to look at the scenario through the eyes of EACH of the stakeholders listed. If you
were a member of the Board of Directors; If you were the Executive Director; If you were a volunteer,
etcgiven what you have learned in HSP 435: Management and Human Services, what should you be
concerning yourself with in terms of asking questions and taking actions to appropriately fulfill your
function/role and responsibilities to the benefit of the mission?


Public Relations (PR): Management Case Study

Stakeholders: Board of Directors, CEO, Public Relations Director, Finance Director, Development
Director, Clients, Donors, and Paid and Volunteer Staff Members.


Situation: It is Tuesday morning, 7:00 a.m.you are listening to the radio when you learn from the news
report that 4 teenagers (3 boys and 1 girl) have been arrested for armed robbery (taking possessions by
force with weapons) of an elderly couple inside their home. The names of the youth are withheld
because of their age. However, the reporter states,

While the names of the youth have been withheld, each of them were wearing t-shirts or hoodies with the
name of a local not-for profit which has a mission to connect at-risk youth and violent teen offenders with
the community through intergenerational service. We have been unable to reach a representative
from Connect for Kids for comment. We hope to update you on this story later in the day.

What are some of the management issues or dynamics that might arise for your group of
stakeholders in this situation?
One of the issues that would arise would be if Connect for Kids has any issues that it has been having
with any of the youth. Connect for Kids would also be looked at to see how much connection the
company had to the youth and if the organization had any clue of what was going to happen. Some
management issues would be has the organization been as active as first implied and how much of an
impact does the company have in the lives of those kids; If the organization is really accomplishing what
they set out to do. The organizations reputation would be at risk.
Board of Directors, CEO, and the Public Relations Director would have to do some damage control. The
Public relations director would issue a statement to the public of an explanation; if the kids are connected
to the organization and what steps are being taken to not only fix the issue but also prevent future similar
cases. The Development Director, CEO and Board of directors back up the statement making the
organization stronger; In this statement addressing Clients, Donors, and Paid and Volunteer Staff
Members. The Board of Directors could also reach out to the people inside the organization to make sure
that everyone knows that the issue is being taken care of and remind the employees and volunteers of
any policies in place.

What decisions or actions will be necessary for each stakeholder to take immediately to deal with
this situation?

It would be important for each stakeholder to review all policies and not answer any questions but to
direct all questions to the Public Relations Director. If any questions do come up individually, to address
them with their immediate supervisor or manager. It would also be important to have some internal
controls (Worth,2014, p 356) set up for the future and for current issue.

What are might be some of the primary concerns from each stakeholders perspective?
Some of the main concerns would be so that organization would not lose donor and clients. It also is
important for the organization to address the issue immediately so that the volunteers do not leave. I think
that the main problem would be so that donors do not stop so that the organization does not have to cut
programs.

What are some policies that might be helpful to have in place from a PR function perspective to
effectively handle this situation?

It would be important to have some internal controls (Worth,2014, p 356). All calls directed to PR; any
emails or anything else that might come in. It might be a good thing to redirect all immediate contact to
managers and supervisors. It is also important to have a group meeting talking to everyone together of
the laws and policies that are already in place.