Re: communication... "Moscow suicide"

["Leo Ames" <leoames@moscow.com>]

Lois,
>From what I've heard & read, I agree with your message completely. The
school district (teachers, counselors, etc.) did an exceptional job. It
"isn't their [the school district] responsibility to make the public
announcement."
        ........ Leo Ames
        ........ Moscow
----------
>From: "Lois Melina" <lmelina@moscow.com>
>To: "Leo E. Ames" <leoames@moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: communication (was "Moscow suicide)
>Date: Thu, Apr 29, 1999, 4:38 PM
>

>Leo,
>Actually, I think the appropriate person to release this information was
>the police or the coroner, after consulting with the family. The school
>district did a good job of informing their students and parents, but it
>isni't their responsibility to make the public announcement.
>
>Lois
>
>----------
>> From: Leo E. Ames <leoames@moscow.com>
>> To: lmelina@moscow.com
>> Cc: vision2020@moscow.com
>> Subject: Re: communication (was "Moscow suicide)
>> Date: Thursday, April 29, 1999 3:16 PM
>> 
>> I always appreciate your considered comments, Lois, but I don't think a
>> "community relations officer or public relations person" is needed to
>> answer some basic questions from a media editor such as Diane Petit, or
>to
>> place the phone call later, nor a "PR student" in an unfunded internship.
>I
>> hope we don't put too much emphasis on finding a person or filter-layer
>> between the professionals in law enforcement and the media. A PR student
>> (unfunded intern) is best used in facilitating positive relations before
>or
>> anticipating an act, not in interpreting after a disaster. "Spin
>doctoring"
>> isn't what's needed at that time. It's direct communication between
>> experienced professionals.
>>  Obviously, I tend to agree with Bill London's concern. Of course,
>> we all make mistakes in judgement and most often will be second-guessed
>in
>> proportion with the severity of an incident.
>>  I may be misperceiving your intent, Lois; in any case I'll read on.
>> 
>>  ...Leo Ames
>>  ,,,Moscow
>> 
>> >The reason that there was no press release issued or other communication
>> >with the public is probably (my opinion) because there is no one in the
>> >district with that as their primary responsibility. There is no
>community
>> >relations officer (or public relations person). While there may be
>people
>> >who take on that role from time to time, my undertanding is that is not
>> >their primary responsibility, and on Tuesday afternoon, everyone was
>busy
>> >enough with their primary responsibilities, and doing a darn good job at
>> >that.
>> >
>> >With the district budget requiring a cut in staff, it is doubtful that
>> >we'll see a community relations officer added to the budget any time
>soon.
>> >
>> >The parent advisory committee at the high school tried to find a public
>> >relations intern from one of the universities for this spring, but did
>not
>> >get a response to our request. I believe we are still looking for one in
>> >the fall. If anyone knows a PR student who would like an unfunded
>> >internship, have them contact me.
>> >
>> >Lois Melina
>> >
>> >
>> >*****************************
>> >Lois Melina
>> >Editor, "Adopted Child" newsletter
>> >P.O. Box 9362
>> >Moscow ID 83843 USA
>> >1-208-882-1794
>> >orders: 1-888-882-1794
>> >fax: 1-208-883-8035
>> >Email: Lmelina@moscow.com
>> >http://www.raisingadoptedchildren.com
>> 
>> 
>> <http://users.moscow.com/leoames>
>> 
>