Summary

2010 was a year marked by constant change.  Every month the Action Alliance reinvented itself in response to the needs and interests of its members and the community at large.  Reflecting back on where we were one year ago when we were called the Small Business Alliance we are literally a completely different organization.  What started as a group of 10 or so ex-pats sitting around the rancho meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest and to network and have morphed in to one of, in not the leading and most integrated ex-pat based community group in the country.  This is something we should all be proud of.  And just think where we may be one year from now!?

Following are some of the highlights from 2010…we ask that you read these and let us know if this is something you would like to be a part of. 

Initiatives

In response to the concerns expressed by you we developed programs in the following areas:

Citizen Security:

During our seminars and mixers we consistently heard concerns about the crime situation in the area.  Each time the topic was raised we found it difficult to move off the subject and cover other agenda items.  It was clear that you felt something needed to be done and following is what we have done.

• Citizen Security Committee – because of the level of concern and importance associated with this issue we formed a Citizen Security Committee that did some amazing work on the topic and are to be congratulated and thanked for their time, effort and commitment. 

• Town Hall Meeting – we initiated a dialogue with the U.S. Embassy and invited Consul General Paul Birdsall to come to San Ramón to listen first hand to our concerns about crime; this relationship has since evolved in to something much bigger and the level of mutual cooperation has been very high. 

• Security Summit – we invited representatives from other communities including Dominical, Tamarindo and Escazu to discuss what they are doing in their areas to address crime. 

• National Initiative – recognizing that change was required on a national level we launched a campaign that included a Citizen Security Petition, we submitted a plan to the Central Government, and executed a publicity plan to raise awareness and to bind the international community around the issue.   

• Community Policing Workshop – in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy we hosted a speaking tour featuring community policing specialist Arturo Venegas, Jr.; Ambassador Andrew gave the opening remarks and there were close to 150 attendees from all segments of the community, the largest and most diverse gathering of any of the 4-market tour.

• Neighborhood Watch Program – we are coordinating with the local Fuerza Publica to provide community security training in several neighborhoods working hand in hand with our Costa Rican neighbors.

• Assistant Secretary of State – we were honored to make a presentation on the crime situation in San Ramón to the Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador Andrew at the ambassador’s home; as part of this presentation we were able to deliver the local congressman, the mayor, the chief of police, the president of the chamber of commerce and other local officials. 

Economic Development:

One of the findings from the Community Policing Workshop was that more economic opportunity would reduce crime in the area.  We are now working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy to attract ‘right-fit’ foreign investment to the area.  A committee dealing specifically with this subject is being formed to help increase the number of jobs available to locals. 

Integration:

We heard and responded to several event participants that we needed to be more aggressive about integrating in to the San Ramón community.  We took this message to heart and reached out to a number of local organizations and authorities, introduced ourselves and are now in ongoing communication and working cooperatively with all segments of the community.  In addition to the interaction with local organizations we are launching an Integration Services program to help newcomers integrate in to the community. 

Support/Philanthropy:

Many of you are active with various philanthropic or social programs in your respective barrios.  In addition to communicating to others the various needs in the area we have initiated certain activities and supported others; examples include:

• Recycling – we organized a clean up and painting day at the local recycling center; your membership fees helped pay for over $200 in paint and other supplies.

• PROPAZ – in response to the request from one of our alliance partners the Action Alliance donated over 100 toys to the PROPAZ Toy Swap; this was the single largest donation by any local organization.

• Education – we are in the process of forming an alliance with Volunteers Fostering Education (VFE), the organization that has been actively teaching English in local schools

Seminars

We have conducted nine free seminars in 2010 including three different seminars on insurance, one on accounting, three on citizen security, recycling and emergency services.

Mixers

We have conducted monthly mixers at a variety of locations including Villa Blanca, EcoMusas, COOPENAE, Casa Amanecer and the Red Cross.

Rebranding

In response to a broader calling from the community we changed our name to the Community Action Alliance, launched a new website (www.actionalliancecr.com), and created a new tag line and mission statement.  Our focus now is on helping ex-pats integrate in to their local communities while serving as a catalyst to increase the quality of life for all residents of Costa Rica. 

Alliances

In the process of integrating our organization, our members, and the ex-pat community we have formed alliances with the following organizations: 

• U.S. Embassy
• Municipality
• Chamber of Commerce
• PROPAZ
• Fuerza Publica
• Diputado/Alcalde
• Cruz Roja
• Costa Rica Chamber of Commerce

More alliances are being formed every month!

In retrospect it is amazing what we have been through and who we have become.  We thank those of you who have played a role in transforming our organization and we encourage others to join in.