SESSION 2: COMMUNICATING IN A TIME OF CRISIS: SOLID ADVICE FOR NONPROFITS
Speaker: Kevin Bakewell, APR
Principal of Bakewell Public Relations, LLC
Whether in our personal or work lives, the degree to which we successfully communicate has a direct impact on the degree to which we understand each other. So, it’s no wonder that “breakdowns in communication” are to blame for so many failures, be they minor or catastrophic. In situations where a communication failure is the only problem – where all other factors are fully known and understood – the solution may not be too difficult. But add to the equation a mystery element, say, COVID-19, and, as the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” That’s when leadership making a commitment to clear communication and effective messaging is even more important.
The purpose of this presentation is to provide helpful guidance to nonprofits and other organizations by sharing solid crisis communications principles, strategies and tactics that can be adapted and adopted to their unique circumstances. While the execution of a successful communication program won’t solve the COVID-19 problem, ensuring a better understanding of the situation will go a long way toward minimizing confusion and keeping us all focused on doing the most important things to keep ourselves and those whom we serve safe and healthy.
Session 2:
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
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This program is offered FREE for AFP Members and guests.
Please register to be sent the link/code to join the Session.
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Applied for 1 hour CFRE Credit
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Kevin Bakewell, Principal of Bakewell Public Relations LLC, is passionate about supporting nonprofits and his profession – passions that evolved during his 45-year career at AAA where he was responsible for all public affairs operations in 11 states and 2 US Territories. As AAA’s senior vice president and chief public affairs officer, Bakewell was head of corporate social responsibility, legislative advocacy/lobbying, media relations, community engagement and corporate communications. He led a staff of 60 and managed a $10 million annual budget, including yearly charitable giving and nonprofit sponsorships totaling more than $1 million.
In 2010, Bakewell founded AAA’s Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to improving traffic safety, serving as the organization’s board chair until his retirement in 2019. He is currently serving his third term as board chair for Preserve Vision Florida, the state’s premier nonprofit dedicated to preserving sight through vision screenings, correction, medical treatment and advocacy. Preserve Vision Florida, founded in St. Petersburg in 1957, has its roots in Prevent Blindness America, founded by Helen Keller in 1908. He also serves on the executive board for the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council/Boy Scouts of America, and on the executive committee for the Suncoast Safety Council.
Bakewell is nationally accredited in public relations (APR) through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is a past president of the PRSA Tampa Bay Chapter (1997), and is the current Chair Elect for the national Independent Practitioner Alliance (IPA) Section of PRSA. A native of St. Petersburg, Kevin and Debbie, his wife of 42 years, have three grown children, four grandchildren, and reside in Clearwater.
