Disaster Fatigue: Navigating Crisis with Alumni and Donors-Election Toolkit

Election Toolkit

Pdf Summary

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has developed a comprehensive Post U.S. Election Planning Guide, which is a strategic framework designed to help educational institutions navigate the complexities and emotional impact following U.S. elections. This guide, produced by CASE's Opportunity and Inclusion Center (OIC), emphasizes the importance of community well-being, institutional integrity, and proactive crisis preparedness.<br /><br />The guide outlines steps to ensure the emotional and mental welfare of communities, recommending the establishment of safe spaces for dialogues and the promotion of mental health services. Institutions are encouraged to adopt a neutral, nonpartisan stance to maintain trust and credibility among stakeholders, paired with consistent and empathetic communication. Demonstrating leadership is critical, with a focus on stability and inclusive engagement tailored to diverse stakeholder needs.<br /><br />Crisis preparedness involves readiness to handle various scenarios and efficient resource allocation to mitigate risks. Institutions are advised to conduct internal preparations, including forming crisis communication teams and reviewing management plans, while also focusing on security and stakeholder communication prior to elections. Post-election, immediate response actions involve releasing neutral statements, engaging communities through thoughtful dialogue, and adapting strategies based on ongoing feedback and monitoring.<br /><br />The guide also stresses the value of structured activities such as dialogue circles, wellness workshops, and civil discourse training to promote community engagement and healing. For specific demographics like children, the guide suggests age-appropriate communication strategies to help them process political events.<br /><br />Overall, the guide aims to provide educational institutions with tools to foster inclusivity, support diverse leader communities, and maintain operational continuity, all while upholding their educational mission and values amid political transitions.

Keywords

CASE

Post U.S. Election Planning Guide

educational institutions

community well-being

crisis preparedness

nonpartisan stance

emotional welfare

dialogue circles

mental health services

stakeholder communication