Escape With Us!

Lambda would like to give you a chance to escape! We want to organize a trip to an escape room in Alexandria in late May but we need to know if you are interested.

Here’s how it works: A group ranging from two to 12 people is briefed on the storyline
by the “gamemaster.” The timer is set, the rules (such as no breaking stuff and there are no clues inside the electrical outlets) are recited, the door is shut, then it’s go time! Then, the group tears it apart, they have 45 minutes to look for clues and solve the riddle. There are locked suitcases — where to find the combination? Books — will one contain a hidden message? Broken clocks — should you pay attention to the time it’s stopped on? Mugs, flashlights, magnets, paintings, vases, sticky notes, watches, trench coats, wigs, compasses, lamps, board games, playing cards. And in them or on them or under them are clues and riddles and puzzles whose answers lead to a letter that means a number that points to another locked box, and that will lead you to another clue, and another clue! All the while, the clock is ticking.

Count Me In!

DOC First Generation Professional Focus Groups

Are you the first in your immediate family (including parents and/or siblings) to have a professional position in an office setting? If so, we would like to hear about your work experiences.

The Department of Commerce’s Office of Civil Rights, in collaboration with the Census Bureau, is seeking federal employees to participate in a focus group. The focus groups are part of a study to learn more about the experiences of professional employees in the federal workforce environment.

The focus groups are two (2) hours long and will take place in either the Department of Commerce Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, MD; or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Silver Spring, MD. Participants will not be paid for their participation. Only federal employees are eligible to participate, and supervisory approval is required. The focus groups will occur between April 11th and April 27th, 2018.

If you are interested in participating, please send an email to focusgroup(at)doc.gov to request an initial screening. To learn more, please contact Bernadette Brown at bbrown(at)doc.gov or by phone at 202–482-2665.

The collection of information during screening is authorized under 5 U.S.C. 301 and 44 U.S.C. Section 3101.

USA Science and Engineering Festival, Volunteer Opportunities Available!

The USPTO will host Booth 1353 at the 2018 USA Science and Engineering Festival and there are opportunities to help provide patent and trademark information and engaging hands-on activities for children and families attending the festival.   We hope you will join Team USPTO!  Available shifts are provided below in increments of 2-hours.  The Education and Outreach Office is coordinating the USPTO presence at the Festival and will provide a short training on the activities and general information to be provided at the USPTO booth.  Inventor trading cards! Race to the USPTO! It promises to be tons of fun.

The USA Science and Engineering Festival is held every two years and provides opportunities for participants to explore 3,000 hands-on exhibits from the world’s leading scientific and engineering societies, universities, government agencies, high-tech corporations and STEM organizations. Join us in reaching out to over 350K+ attendees and help celebrate USPTO’s role in innovation, invention and intellectual property.

*No “other time” will be offered for this event.

WHEN:
Friday, April 6 – Sneak Peek Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm
Saturday, April 7 –EXPO   10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, April 8   – EXPO    10:00am – 4:00pm

WHERE:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP DIRECTLY, CONTACT:
Kathy Hoppe  or  Christopher Dolce

WOMEN ON THE RISE A Leadership Dialogue

Event flyerTuesday, March 20, 2018, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Main Auditorium. Federal employees and contractors are invited to join an exciting and dynamic afternoon with high-level women across government to hear about leadership, learning, and life-long lessons. Both men and women are encouraged to attend.

  • Learn about career navigation strategies, taking smart risks, failure and recovery, resiliency, what keeps leaders up at night, the importance of mentorship and giving back, how we can all support each other, advice for the next generation of leaders, and making the U.S. government a rewarding place to work for both women and men.
  • Participate in interagency networking and make professional associations among fellow federal government colleagues.
    Hear from high-level speakers on their personal journey
    to leadership.
  • Discuss how to inspire the younger generation to pursue government fields and reach more underrepresented individuals including women and girls.
    View the USPTO display for Women’s History Month on the Female Inventors Hall of Fame, located on the level immediately above the event.
  • This event is co-hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Network of Executive Women and Women in Science and Engineering, and POWER, the U.S. Department of Energy’s employee resource group.
  • To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/March202018

Dining Out For Life 2018

Dining Out For Life Logo. Dine Out, Fight AIDS.

This international event held in over 60 cities raises critical funds to support the missions of outstanding HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout North America. Each year, approximately 75 restaurants throughout the greater DC area will donate 25%-110% of proceeds to Food & Friends.

This year Lambda PTO will gather at Bombay Curry Company on April 12, 2018, at 5:30 PM. If you’d like to be included in the reservation, RSVP here by April 1st so that we may save you a seat at our table. If you can’t attend with the group, there are many participating locations in the DC area.  For more information about our restaurant pick, go to bombaycurrycompany.com.Count Me In!

50/50 Raffle Tickets On Sale!

As all of you might know, Lambda PTO operates without charging membership fees. Our membership list is completely private, and to keep it that way, our board encourages PTO employees to donate to our fund in order to provide funding for events, which all of us to enjoy.

This month, we’re starting a 50/50 raffle. Buy raffle tickets, each for $1. The winner for the month of March will be announced on Friday, March 30th and will receive 50% of the total raised, the other half will go to the Lambda fund. If you’re into increasing the odds, we have a deal for you: 6 tickets for $5, or 12 tickets for $10! Contact Jennifer Fritz, Leslee Friedman, Yaira Resto or Amando Carigo to get your tix!

4th Annual Interagency STEM Volunteer Fair

Event FlyerSee how you can give back this holiday season! The US Department of Veterans Affairs, The USPTO, The Department of Homeland Security, The Department of Energy, the Department of State and the US Environmental Protection Agency join forces at the 4th Annual Interagency STEM Volunteer Fair. December 20, 2017
11:00 am –2:00 pm at the Department of Energy Cafeteria, 1000 Independence Ave, SW. Meet STEM organizations and schools in the greater Washington, D.C. area that need your help. Register today http://tinyurl.com/stemfair4