In 1985 the superintendent of schools in Davis, California, frustrated by inadequate facilities and the unwillingness of his community to support raising taxes to renovate aging schools, asked Larry Tramutola for assistance “organizing” his community. Recognizing that passing a tax measure requiring two thirds voter approval was almost impossible using traditional methods, Tramutola taught school and parent leaders how to “organize” their community. Training volunteers to contact voters one-on-one in their homes and on the phone, Tramutola’s efforts resulted in a remarkable and surprising victory.
Soon Tramutola was getting calls from around the state asking him to share his magic and secrets (Tramutola said there was no magic or secrets just hard work). In two years Tramutola helped pass 29 bond measures without a loss, all requiring 2/3rds support.
By 1988, the simple desire to help school districts had evolved into a business and Tramutola founded TRAMUTOLA LLC and eventually Sidewalk Strategies (named after his widely acclaimed book). Word quickly spread from beyond the school community to leaders of hospitals, libraries, cities, candidates, public agencies and businesses that they too could be successful if they followed the “Tramutola method”— and they were.
For nearly 25 years TRAMUTOLA has set the standard for smart strategies and winning elections in tough electoral environments. Like any success, the firm has spawned competitors and imitators. But TRAMUTOLA is the original and remains the leader — the hardest working, most successful, most inspirational and the most creative election advisor in California today.
TRAMUTOLA is skilled in grass roots organizing to build community support. The Tramutola Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA) provides internships and fellowships to individuals seeking to make a positive difference in their communities.
TRAMUTOLA excels, in part, because they do not view their work as a business, but rather as a cause. They sum up their work in four goals: Improve communities. Help and inspire others to succeed. Work ethically and honestly. Provide expertise, discipline and enthusiasm to each client.
TRAMUTOLA is a small firm by design. Despite the pressure to grow, we believe one of the secrets of our success is that every client gets hands-on attention. Staff members are interested in improving the world, one community at a time. Every client gets individual attention unique to their needs and their community. Large or small, each agency, business or candidate feels as though they are our “most important” client, because they are. The TRAMUTOLA staff is smart, hard working, accessible, knowledgeable, experienced and charismatic. What more would you want?