Sidewalk Strategies: Seven Winning Steps for Candidates, Causes, and Communities

AORN Journal, Oct, 2004 by Natalie Walker

Larry Tramutola 2003, 232 pp $16.95 softcover

This book is dedicated to providing effective, ethical, and successful political strategy to individuals and organizations committed to improving the communities they serve. The author left law school to gather signatures for political causes. While others went to graduate school, he spent the first decade of his career on the sidewalks in front of grocery stores working with the United Farm Workers (UFW) union and learning about people. He shares what he learned about approaching people, expressing ideas passionately in a few moments, and the importance of incremental progress.

The author illustrates common-sense strategies (ie, work for what you believe in) with personal accounts, such as immigrant laborers blocking bulldozers during the infancy of the UFW movement. Readers will benefit from reading about the author's relationship with his mentor, Fred Ross, Sr, a founding member of the UFW, as well as his work organizing local, state, and national campaigns. Sidewalk Strategies breaking down the practical lessons that the author learned working alongside legendary union leader Cesar Chavez and as a consultant for some of politics' most public figures, including former President Bill Clinton during his first presidential election bid and Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif).

This book will speak differently to each reader, convincing pessimists that the political system really can work, offering candidates advice for political success, and inspiring individuals to pursue causes they believe in. In language that emphasizes his knowledge and enthusiasm, the author encourages readers to define their commitments, overcome their fears, and maintain their sincerity.

Successful campaigns are a result of careful planning and disciplined execution of an effective strategy. Learn to listen and blend experience with needs and abilities. Communicate a message simply and effectively to the people who matter. Often, the most important work is the least glamorous, but it is important to get involved and work for the causes and people one really believes in.

The book is divided into seven sections, one for each of the author's sidewalk strategies. The sections are titled

* "Work for what you believe in,"

* "Develop the discipline of winning,"

* "Figure out how to win,"

* "Shut up and listen,"

* "Define the debate,"

* "Invest in people," and

* "Win or lose, keep working."

Each section has three or four chapters, with titles such as, "Why do you want to win?," "Learn by keeping your mouth shut," and "Finding and keeping good staff." It may sound like a how-to book, but the author effectively keeps Sidewalk Strategies from falling victim to the how-to genre by engaging and entertaining readers with anecdotes from his own experiences. Even readers averse to the soapbox should be moved to cast ballots in the next election by the story of a centenarian oppressed by apartheid his entire life who refuses to die until he finally can cast his vote for a free South Africa.

The book reveals the secrets of the author's success and teaches readers about winning elections and campaigns and, most importantly. using winning strategies to make a difference in one's own community. The final message I took from the book is how important it is to get involved. Volunteer. Take personal responsibility. Make a difference, not a name--and remember to vote.

Sidewalk Strategies is written in clear, easy-to-understand language, and it can be read quickly. This book gives sound information, answers, and tips on how to get involved and inspire people. I would recommend it as an excellent reference for anyone interested in getting politically involved in his or her community or organization.

This book is available from TurnKey Press, 2525 W Anderson Ln, Suite 540, Austin, TX 78757.

NATHALIE WALKER

RN, BS, MBA, CNOR

CLINICAL RN IV

EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL

METAIRIE, LA