The Way of Crisis Management
Facing an increasingly complex and ever-changing operational environment, NGOs’ governing bodies need to enhance their sensitivity to crises. It is crucial to proactively identify and handle crises before they escalate, ensuring the organization can continue fulfilling its mission. In light of this, the Council organized a "Seminar & Sharing Session on Crisis Management for NGOs’ Governing Bodies" in March 2024. The event featured Dr. Li Chan Wing, a media veteran, who shared essential insights into crisis management with attending governance leaders. The session covered understanding different stakeholders, establishing proper positioning, and acquiring progressive crisis management skills.
MNOPQR Checklist
Dr. Li introduced a crisis management checklist, "MNOPQR," to empower governance leaders to effectively respond to ever-emerging crises. This checklist enables them to swiftly assess the situation, evaluate risks, mobilize resources, take appropriate actions, and develop subsequent preventive strategies.
- Manipulate: Understand the available resources at hand and utilize them effectively for prompt response.
- Negotiate: Resolve conflicts among different stakeholders through negotiations, reaching consensus, and fostering trust and cooperation.
- Offer: Provide reasonable compensation and take responsibility in cases involving loss of life or property. Express concern for affected parties to maintain cooperative relationships and trust.
- Participate: Encourage the involvement of stakeholders, enhance transparency, establish stable cooperation mechanisms, and proactively identify potential risks.
- Q (Kill): If a plan fails to meet public expectations, remain flexible and open, reassess and adjust strategies, and seek understanding and support from stakeholders.
- Re-educate: View each crisis as a learning opportunity, increase awareness and adaptability in crisis management, establish long-term effective preventive mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future, and address new challenges.
Resources
Seven event materials have been published on the Project’s website since November 2023 and are as follows:
- Webinar on Potential Profits Tax Liabilities of Tax-Exempt Charities, Mr. Wilson Cheng, Partner and Tax Leader for Hong Kong and Macau at EY, was invited to provide insights on the latest Tax Guide for Charitable Institutions and Trusts of a Public Character. The aim was to assist organizations in understanding and complying with relevant tax laws, thereby helping them prevent and manage tax controversy risks.
- Webinar on the Importance of IT Governance for NGOs, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of using information technology (IT) definitely helps NGOs achieve their missions and values. Recognizing this, the Council organized an online seminar featuring Mr. Vincent Ip, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer from the Professional Information Security Association to provide insights into strategies for implementing sound IT governance.
- Seminar & Sharing Session on Data Governance for NGOs, to enhance the awareness of governance leaders regarding privacy protection and personal data, as well as equip them with relevant skills, the Council specifically invited Ms. Ruby Lam, Manager (Corporate Communications) from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to share tips for proceeding with data governance and share experience.
- Seminar & Sharing Session on Crisis Management for NGOs’ Governing Bodies, Dr. Li Chan Wing, a media veteran, shared crisis management techniques during the event and designed practical exercises for the participants. These exercises aimed to enhance the sensitivity of governing bodies to crises and effectively address potential risks.
- Governance: Roles of Directors, as part of the Induction Program, Mr. Kennedy Liu, the Vice Chairperson of the Council, was invited to share insights into the roles and responsibilities of NGO’s director and how to fulfill them effectively.
- How to be a Good Director, Dr. Davy Wu, the Programme Director of the MSc in Corporate Governance and Compliance, cum Associate Director (Corporate Governance) of Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy, Hong Kong Baptist University, offered guidance to board members of NGOs on becoming effective governors and enhancing the effectiveness of their board of directors.
- Webinar on New Inspection Regime of the Companies Register, addressing the New Inspection Regime of the Companies Register and providing NGOs with information on its application process, Mr. Terence Mok, Assistant Registry Manager (Public Search) from Companies Registry was invited to explained the details.
Issue 17 │ March 2024
