The Penman Group recently expanded its portfolio of services to include advocacy and government affairs in the nation’s capital. This expansion builds on the Penman Group’s thirty years of proven success, strategy, and approach to work. Our firm offers you a year-round advocate in Washington, DC elevating the voice of state organizations in Congress and fostering relationships with key members of the Congressional legislative process.

Our Washington DC staff continues to spend time in Jefferson City making them keenly aware of Missouri's unique needs and how our Congressional delegation can work to support it. Our firm works closely with national partners to support and complement their work by adding a state-based perspective and a unified message across our state and region.


RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Members of the Penman Group are in regular communication with the offices of our clients’ delegations. We work to build positive and productive relationships on the Hill to benefit our clients. Our team has a long history with many members of Congress, spanning their histories as members of Missouri’s General Assembly, which provides us with an advantage.

Relationship Development Strategies

  • Identify and communicate with appropriate Congressional staff office and Committee members on issues 

  • Provide clients with a consistent, present voice in Congress

  • Identify and engage with industry stakeholders working on priority issues 


ADVOCACY & LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY

Our team sees firsthand the power of a local perspective in Washington DC. We help clients clearly define the impact they want to achieve, and provide a roadmap on short-term and long-term advocacy strategies, and the services to achieve it. 

Advocacy & Legislative Strategies:

  • Deliver in-person education to Congressional members and their staff, as well as regional stakeholder organizations/government affairs representatives about client efforts

  • Direct the development of advocacy and education materials

  • Identify opportunities for a client to engage on priority issues 

  • Advise client on effective strategies for engagement


COALITION BUILDING & GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATIONS

The Penman Group harnesses the power of state and multi-state coalitions to elevate the voices of our region. Unifying aligned organizations within and across states, we build effective and engaged coalitions of advocates to support your organization's goals. 

Coalition Building & Grassroots Mobilization Strategies:

  • Identify state and multi-state leaders and stakeholders on various issues

  • Foster and facilitate relationships with stakeholders and clients

  • Build coalitions of multi-state stakeholder organizations and government affairs representatives to support national efforts from a grassroots level

  • Coordinate and align legislative priorities over multiple states

  • Strategically mobilize grassroots networks with aligned strategies and messaging

  • Work closely with national partners to support and complement their work


STRATEGIC MESSAGING

Clear and strategic messaging is essential to delivering outcomes in Congress. Our team takes the national conversation and ensures your delegation is hearing a message that resonates in their districts. 

Strategic Messaging Strategies:

  • Develop clear & consistent messaging across regions

  • Identify effective channels for delivering a message using coordinated advocacy campaigns, social media, and recommended media placement

  • Analyze and refine messaging from national affiliates and strategically refine it to reach targeted decision-makers 

  • Engage legislators through an individualized approach through targeted messaging and by connecting them with the right advocates to deliver the message


ADVOCACY “HILL” DAYS

Our team brings you everything you need for Hill Days, from planning, and on-site staffing to follow-up. The Penman Group helps you clearly define the strategic objectives you set to achieve and ensures you have a simple, streamlined, and successful trip to Washington.

Advocacy Day Strategies:

  • Schedule meetings and develop client advocacy day itineraries

  • Provide on-site support, including facilitation of meetings with Congressional delegation and staff 

  • Complete follow-up with Congressional offices, including completion of any evaluations requested by national affiliates 

  • Provide coaching and advocacy training to clients prior to delegation visits


MONITORING AND REPORTING OF PRIORITY ISSUES

Our team keeps an eye on Washington so you can focus on your issues back home. We make sure our clients are informed of the status of their priority issues. We work closely with committee and office staff who interact with legislation every day ensuring we are positioned to learn about behind-the-scenes developments as they occur. 

Monitoring & Reporting Strategies: 

  • Provide tracking for a specified number of agreed-upon issues

  • Identify opportunities for a client to engage in the process around priority issues, and advise on effective strategies

  • Report on committee and floor discussions for client priorities

  • Provide client with the logistics and means for tuning into key committee and floor discussions