2. Table of Contents:
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….1
Acknowledgements…………………………………………................................................................... 2
Rehearsal Dates ………………………………………………………………................................. 3
Purpose & Objectives ………………………………………………………………………… …. 4
Key Publics ……………………………………………………………………………………….5
Notifying Publics ………………………………………………………………………………….6
Crisis Communications Team ……………………………………………………………………...7
Crisis Directory …………………………………………………………………................................8
Media Spokesperson ……………………………………………………………………………….9
Emergency Officials ……………………………………………………………………………...10
Media List ………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Spokesperson for Related Organizations …………………………………………….. ………...12
Crisis Communication Control Center ……………………………………………………………13
Equipment & Supplies …………………………………………………………………………...14
Pregathered Information …………………………………………………………………………15
Key Messages …………………………………………………………………………………….16
Websites & Social Media …………………………………………………………………………17
Trick Questions …………………………………………………………………………………..18
Prodromes ………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
Related URLs …………………………………………………………………………………..... 20
Evaluation ………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
3. Introduction
March 21, 2016
To the brothers of Zeta Psi:
The following Crisis Communications Plan has been developed to ensure the chapter will be prepared for a
crisis. This plan should be used as guidance and a manual should a crisis occur.
Unfortunately, unplanned situations will occur, and for the best interest of the fraternity, we must understand
preparation is necessary.
The fraternity is the oldest of its kind and holds a sacred place in the business world. Alpha Kappa Psi
Professional Business Fraternity is a premier business developer and includes many business leaders across
the country.
In the near future, we must continue to mold and build the world’s business leaders. The Crisis
Communications Plan provides the components necessary for an effective strategy should the Zeta Psi
chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi face a crisis in the future.
I am proud of brothers in good standing who work diligently for the fraternity. These individuals had a
successful venture in the past and a solid foundation for great things to transpire in the near future.
Sincerely,
De’Sean Keys
President, Zeta Psi
4. Acknowledgements
We, the executive board listed below, have read and been informed about the importance,
requirements, and obligations of the Crisis Communications Plan for the Zeta Psi Chapter. I have
carefully read, analyze, and willingly agreed to adhere to the procedures of the Crisis
Communications Plan.
If any questions shall arise, I understand I direct those requires to Compliance Officer, or a member
of the Crisis Communications Team.
Should a crisis occur, it is the responsibility of brothers to follow the guidelines instructed in this
document.
Brother’s signature: _____________________________
Printed Name: Alexis Porter
Date: ______________
Brother’s signature: ________________________________
Printed Name: Katlin Maxwell
Date: ____________
Brother’s signature: ________________________________
Printed Name: Arin Cooper
Date:_______________
Brother’s signature:_____________________
Printed Name: Mia F. Griggs
Date:_______________
5. Rehearsal Dates
It is essential and crucial that the Crisis Communications Plan be rehearsed regularly to ensure
comprehension and understanding shall a crisis occur.
The plan should be included within the chapter’s agenda and rehearsed twice a semester to
guarantee new members know their expectations when facing a crisis.
This thorough practice will teach brothers to treat the plan as if a real-life crisis has taken place.
The dates determined for a simulation of a crisis:
• Wednesday, April 20, 2016
• Wednesday, September 14, 2016
These dates are important because they are after a pledge class been initiated into the fraternity and
before a rush process of the next pledge class. The two dates allow time for new brothers and
reactivated brothers to become familiar with Zeta Psi Crisis Communications Plan.
The number of times of rehearsal does not compare to the timing of a crisis. Therefore, potential
occurrences must be analyzed and simulated periodically. This plan makes Zeta Psi proactive against
a potential crisis.
6. Purpose & Objectives
Purpose:
In a crisis, the chapter must be honest and open with information and details given to the brothers
and media. For a guarantee to return to normalcy, the chapter must be transparent about the crisis.
To recover successfully, we must get information out the media and continue to run the chapter’s
business.
Objectives:
1. To be seen on campus and in the media as a fraternity who cares about its members and
fellow peers;
2. To make all communications accurate and thorough;
3. To showcase unity and brotherhood but hold brothers accountable; and
4. Remind our publics that we are college students who are making strides into adulthood and
the business world
7. Key Publics
• Brothers of Zeta Psi
• Media
• Sponsors
• Media
• Competitors
• Jones A. Jennings’ College of Business
• Legal Counsel
• Community leaders
• Faculty Advisors
• Regional Office
8. Notifying the Publics
Internal
Brothers:
The Brothers of Zeta Psi must follow the chain of command. Therefore, if a brother should report a
crisis, you should do the following:
Contact the chapter’s president and he or she will contact the following:
Chapter and Faculty Advisor
The chapter’s president will notify the overseers of a crisis via email or phone. The president has a
direct and open line of communications with the advisors. From the initial contact of the advisors,
they will work closely with the president to handle the crisis. The chapter advisor will be notified,
that person, too, will follow the chain of command and contact the regional and offices.
Chapter
Advisor
Regional
Director
Her6age
Center
Na6onal
Director of
Risk
Management
9. If the president is unavailable, please contact an Executive Board member in the following order
The executive board members can be notified by telephone or email. Please check the brother’s
contact list for this information.
Sponsors
Sponsors of the Zeta Psi chapter will receive an email and phone call dispersing the information
regarding the crisis. This personal interaction is important because the sponsors fund the chapter
and many of its events. Sponsors will received updates regularly about the crisis.
External
The media will be notified in several ways. Media will receive a press release regarding the crisis. The
release will include all the essential and important information regarding the crisis. Media personnel
will be given the proper telephone numbers to ensure an open line of communication for updates
and questions. A media kit will be sent as well, therefore, information regarding the fraternity’s
overview and facts will be presented. If needed, media will be contacted for a press conference.
Compliance Officer
Chief
Opera6ons
Officer
Chief Financial
Officer
Admisntra6ve
Assistant
Vice President
of Membership
Director of
Human
Resoucres
11. Crisis Communications Team
• Director of Public Relations (Team Manager)
• Compliance Officer (Assistant Team Manager)
• Annual Chapter Report Administrator (ACR)
• Director of Human Resources
These four executive board members are selected for the crisis communications team because their
position requires tasks within the chapter that will be essential during a crisis. The Director of Public
Relations runs all the social media accounts and has a great relationship with the campus. The
Compliance Officer studies risk management deeply under the fraternity’s manuals and retains a
close relationship with Heritage Center. The ACR Administrator holds the planning guides, which
are documents that track the chapter’s events and all dealings for the semester as well other
fraternity information. Lastly, the Director of Human Resources handles conflict within the chapter,
but is the first person a pledge will report to if the pledge is displease with an aspect of their process.
12. Crisis Directory
Key Managers
De’Sean Keys
President
Phone: (615) 818-4173
Email: ceo.zetapsi@gmail.com
Address: 1345 Wenlon Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Janieka Knight
Chief Operations Officer
Phone: (615) 240-3852
Email: coo.zetapsi@gmail.com
Address: 2707 S. Rutherford Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Julia Johnson
Faculty Advisor
Phone: (615)826-9568
Email: Julia.Johnson@mtsu.edu
Address: 1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
KUC Rm. 322
Dr. Timothy Dunne
Faculty Advisor
Phone: (615) 898-2736
Email: timothy.dunne@mtsu.edu
Address: 1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Room N121
13. Crisis Communications Team
Alexis Porter
Director of Public Relations
Phone: (615) 946-4350
Email: dpr.zetapsi@gmail.com
Address: 1955 Old Castle Dr. #100
Murfreesboro, TN 37127
Katlin Maxwell
Annual Chapter Report (ACR) Coordinator
Phone: (615) 620-7537
Email: acr.zetapsi@gmail.com
Address: 2315 N. Tennessee Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Arin Cooper
Compliance Officer
Phone: (901) 338-3713
Address: 285 N. Rutherford Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Mia F. Griggs
Director of Human Resources
Address: 1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132 MTSU Box 9422
14. Media Spokesperson
CEO/President
The president has knowledge about the fraternity and polices, bylaws and procedures. President also
has a connection with each of the members and during officer training has been given the
information to properly handle a crisis.
Compliance Officer
The officer deals directly with risk management within the chapter. The compliance officer is
knowledgeable regarding the boundaries of risk management and the guidelines to follow to ensure
no violations.
ACR Administrator
The ACR administrator has proper documents that showcase a paper trail and can breakdown the
analysis of what’s happening within the chapter. This person brings credibility to the chapter.
15. Emergency Personnel and Local Officials
Police
Murfreesboro Police Department
302 S. Church St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 849-2685
Middle Tennessee State University Campus Police
1412 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615)898-2424
Paramedics
Rutherford County Emergency Medical Service
606 East Burton Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: (615) 896-2520
Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
Hospital
Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital
1700 Medical Center Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 396-4100
16. Media List
The Tennessean
1100 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
Dave Boucher
Investigative Reporter
dboucher@tennessean.com
(615)259-8892
Twitter: Dave_Boucher1
Murfreesboro Post
307 N. Walnut Street Suite 2
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Cat Murphy
News Editor
(615) 896-0800
editor@murfreesboro.com
Twitter: CatCurtisMurhpy
MTSU Sidelines
1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Editor-in-chief
Megan White
editor@mtsusidelines.com
WMTS 88.3 FM (MTSU Radio)
SPC 508 1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Austin Fulwider
Program Director
program@whts.org
(615)898-5051
WKRN-News 2
441 Murfreesboro Rd.
Nashville, TN 37210
Andy Cordan
Reporter
acordan@wkrn.com
(615)396-7221
Twitter: AndyCordan
17. NewsChannel5
474 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37219
Sandy Boonstra
News Director
Sandy.boonstra@newschannel.com
(615) 248-5250
The Diary (Fraternity’s magazine)
7801 E. 88th
Street
Indianapolis, IN 46256
(317) 872-1553
Online submission
WGNS News Radio
306 S. Church St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 893-5373
news@wgnsradio.com
WSMV-News Channel 4
5700 Knob Rd.
Nashville, TN 37209
Larry Flowers
Reporter
lflowers@wsmv.com
18. Spokesperson for Related Organizations
Murfreesboro Police Department
Michael Bowen
Chief of Police
302 S. Church Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 893-1311
19. Crisis Communications Control Center
Location I:
Carson-Kennedy Nursing Building
Room 121
1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Location II:
Vie at Murfreesboro Clubhouse
1355 Wenlon Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Location III:
James E. Walker Library
Study Rooms
1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Location IV:
Home of a crisis communication team member
21. Pregathered Information
• Annual Chapter Reports
• Planning Guides
• Chapter’s Governing Documents
1. Chapter Bylaws
2. Board of Directors Statement of Policy
3. Constitution & Statutory Code
• Brothers’ Contact List
• Minutes from each meeting
22. Key Messages
• Identify the crisis
• Description of what happened
• Show compassion toward victims
• Suggestions for the crisis
• Release facts
• Background information
• Communicate actions and concerns
1. State members’ status: good standing, suspended, or alumni
2. Prepare statement for brothers and media
3. Statement must be approved by the national director of risk management
Sample Statements
Hazing Allegations
We have been asked to comment on the recent hazing allegation against our chapter. Due to an
internal investigation underway, we have been advised not to comment on the ongoing allegation.
Member arrested for a crime
Fraternity statement:
He was an active Brother of the Fraternity. We have no knowledge of the incident or the
investigation in question. Our national headquarters will have more information and you may
contact them for comment.
23. Website & Social Media
The national website has a tab available for fraternity’s news. Therefore, the chapter will submit the
posting to the webmaster for the fraternity to post on their website with updates and feedback.
A more direct connection is the chapter’s social media accounts. They currently stand as the
chapter’s connection with its publics. The publics will have the opportunity to type feedback,
comment, and receive a reply from Zeta Psi.
The social media accounts also allow the chapter to upload the chapter’s effort and show the
adjustments made.
24. Trick Questions & Answers
You do agree that the fraternity could have avoided this tragedy, right.
No, I do not agree. The fraternity is currently under investigation to determine the cause and once
this investigation has concluded we will be sure to notify our publics and media.
Are you aware of the hazing imposed by your fraternity?
The fraternity has a hazing allegation and awaiting headquarters for details.
Tell me, what does this organization do?
Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity is coed business organization that allows
collegiate students to appreciate and learn higher ideals in the business world.
Do you believe your fellow Brother did this?
My fellow Brother was a brother of good standing whom diligently for the chapter and its position.
Would you consider your fraternity one who loves to party and drink?
Our fraternity is one who loves to meet on Wednesdays at chapter meetings and discuss ideas and
ways the Zeta Psi chapter can progress on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.
By the way, you guys have other allegations as well?
Now, we have only this allegation and the fraternity is dealing with it properly.
Haven’t you guys dealt with this before?
No, we haven’t. Each case is never the same. We are bringing details as they are released.
The process to become a member is long and stressful, correct.
The process to become a member is on our website at www.akpsi.org. On the website, you
can see all the manuals used to become a Brother.
25. List of Prodromes
• Hazing Allegation
1. Meeting with Brothers regarding allegation
2. Details from email discussed
3. Developed a strategy for every brother to be together
4. Discussed the procedure for the investigations
5. Talked about the consequences
• Sexual Harassment
1. Pledge told the Vice President of Membership
2. Vice President of Membership notified the President
3. President contacted the chapter advisor
4. Chapter advisor notified the Regional Director
5. Regional office contacted that brother accused of sexual harassment
6. Final Decision made by regional office: Brother suspended from fraternity
• Member Incarcerated
1. President followed the chain of command and received all orders from upper
management.
2. Chapter adhered to the instructions via the President
3. Regional Director emailed President the following guidelines and statements
4. Chapter followed the Regional Directors instructions carefully
26. Related Internet URLs
www.akpsi.org
The fraternity’s national website has all the information regarding the operations of the fraternity
and its chapters. The website even has fraternity’s manuals and documents available.
www.mtsu.edu
Zeta Psi is the chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity on the campus of
Middle Tennessee State University. The university’s website shown the fraternity as campus
organization and offers the perspective offices the organization reports to on campus. It also offers
contact information for faculty advisors and other related fraternity information.
27. Evaluation Form
Crisis Evaluation Form
Crisis Team Member: _________________ Date:_______________
Location:______________________________ Type:________________
The Crisis Communications Plan was followed:
Not at all Somewhat Completely
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What was the crisis?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Was the crisis communicated effective to you?
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
How were you notified about the crisis?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What would you have done differently?
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
28. Which methods were most effective?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Do you feel the plan was a proper guideline for the crisis?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What needs to be done still despite the crisis being over?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
