MCWLCR 2024 - 2025 Proposal presented by Peter J. Swing and John W. Ostman at the May 11th, 2024 monthly meeting.

Overview

● Current State of the Marine Corps Warrior League Costa Rica

● Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan 2024 - onward

● Leadership

● Priorities - Short, Medium, Long Term

● Action Plan

● Next event

Current State of the MCWLCR

● Recognized as a long-established American-veteran organization in Costa Rica

● Recognized for community impact: Toys for Tots, American veteran and embassy-related events, affiliation with Wounded Warriors

● Resource for thousands of vets and their expat families: sense of community, healthcare, personal affairs workbook, Federal Benefits Unit, U.S. General Services Administration

● Comprehensive Website: https://sites.google.com/view/mclcrmember/services

● Friendly relationship with U.S. Embassy

● Steady decrease in membership

● Decrease in membership activity

● Absence/vacancies of leadership positions and support

Why steady decrease in membership and membership activity

● Absence of untapped demographic in San Jose; COVID-19 pandemic; member deaths, injuries and illnesses; events not aligned with potential members’ interest; core group members dissolved

Peter J. Swing officially accepted the invitation to become the new Commandant of the MCWLCR on Saturday, May 11, 2024. First order of business:

1) “Changing of the Guard Ceremony" event; date and location TBD

a) Outline and broadcast new inclusive membership requirements

b) Broadcast new leadership, programs and initiatives

Peter J. Swing - Commandant of MCWLCR

● Marine Corps Veteran (served 5 years) - 5711 NBC Defense Warfare Specialist; Operation Enduring Freedom Combat Veteran (Middle East); 8151(/6) Marine Security Guard (Ecuador, Costa Rica)

● Graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (BA History, Ethnic Studies) summa cum laude; Harvard University (EdM,

International Education Policy) magna cum laude

● Co-owner and president of Berkeley Academy, Y Entertainment, and Quinta Playa Blanca Boutique Hotel

● Vice President, Board Member of Teach for All Costa Rica

● Harvard Alumni for Education (HAEd) Regional Coordinator

John W. Ostman - 2nd Vice Commandant of MCWLCR

● Retired Marine Corps Communications Officer (0602) who served over 20 years

● Having served in a helicopter squadron, an artillery battalion, Marine Security Guard Duty (Budapest, Hungary and Brussels, Belgium), base communications, and recruiting duty, Mr. Ostman has a wide swath of leadership experiences to assist in his decision making process

● Graduate of the University of Minnesota (BA in French Literature)

● Transitioned to finance for another 3 years, working with multi-million dollar programs and some of the giants in the global corporate world

Priorities - Short Term (Immediate - 6 months)

● Increase membership to 40 core members by January 2025

● Identify “Program Officers”

● Increase organization brand and presence in the local community

● Establish a minimum of 3 key (private, public, or corporate) partners

● Cultivate strong relationship to MSG Detachment

Priorities - Medium Term (6 months - 1 year)

● Increase membership to 80 core members by May 2025

● Identify Regional Commanders (by province)

● Establish one internationally recognized program

● MCWLCR Marathon Fundraiser

● MCWLCR Biker Weekend

● MCWLCR Veteran Lecture Series

● Obtain an annual operating budget of $10,000

● Swing family has committed to donating $5,000 (in-kind and cash) to MCWLCR in 2024-25

Priorities - Long Term (1 - 2 years)

● Increase membership to 130 core members by May 2026

● Develop veteran-related service programs

● MCWLCR VA Healthcare and Benefits program

● MCWLCR VA mentorship workshops (living abroad in CR as a veteran, local employment or community service opportunities, VA loan and benefits workshop, financial coaching, funeral services, etc.)

● Obtain institutional funding

Action Plan

● Plan and coordinate “Changing of the Guard Ceremony” event; date and location TBD

● Outreach to key partners in the U.S. Embassy (Ambassador, DCM, ODR, DEA, and MSG)

● Outreach to key partners in the local law enforcement and first-responders sector

● Outreach to key partners in the fitness and physical health sector