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.

Congratulations to Amy Johnson who won our March 50/50 raffle! If you missed the drawing, it can be viewed on our Facebook Group. Keep your eyes open for the next one and good luck!

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.

Join us for our March Happy Hour at LaPorta’s Restaurant on March 22nd, 2018. Get to meet our newest members and catch up with the usual crowd over drinks and snacks.

Meet us at 5 PM for $3.00 rail cocktails, $3.00 select beers, $3.00 red or white wine AND 1/2 price Classics menu. More information at laportas.net.

Confused about the current legal landscape for LGBTQ people in the workplace?  Wondering if current news headlines mean anything for your employment at USPTO as LGBTQ person?  Jessica Hughes, Supervisory Attorney in the Office of EEO and Diversity, is joining us to discuss recent events and what they mean (or don’t mean) for USPTO employees.  She’ll provide a brief overview of President Trump’s recent directive about transgender people in the military and the Department of Justice’s intervention in Zarda v. Altitude Express and talk about USPTO policies.  Please come and bring your questions about this or other LGBTQ employment rights issues (Note:  Jessica cannot provide any legal advice or counsel.)

Aug. 22: Learn About 529 ABLE Savings Plans for Disability-Related Expenses

Do you have a disability or care for someone with a disability? Would you like to learn about a powerful new investment vehicle to help families and individuals pay for disability-related expenses?

If so, come learn about 529 Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts Tuesday, Aug. 22, from noon – 1 p.m. in the Randolph Conference Center or online via WebEx.

ABLE accounts allow qualified people with disabilities to place earnings into special, tax-free accounts that can be used to pay for short- and long-term disability needs. The accounts are made possible by the ABLE Act signed into law in 2014 and function similarly to a 529 college savings account.

In addition to growing your savings, money put toward ABLE accounts does not count toward Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income savings and assets ceilings. A representative from Virginia’s ABLEnow program will explain how funds can be used for a range of needs including housing, mortgage payments, health care, transportation, and education.

Before you attend the presentation, visit the ABLE National Resource Center so you can come prepared with questions. You may also want to read the New York Times article, “A Closer Look at 529 Able Accounts.

ResponsAbility, the USPTO’s affinity group for disability awareness and action, and the Patent and Trademark Office Society (PTOS), are the sponsors of this event. The presentation is part of the 2017 PTOS financial seminar series.
For more information, contact Alex Camarota or Angela Nguyen.