OEEOD August Training Series

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P.I.E. (Performance, Image, Exposure) Training

In case you missed it the first time, OEEOD will be hosting another session of P.I.E. training.

What: P.I.E. examines the relationship and interdependency between three key dimensions (Performance, Image, and Exposure) and their impact on an individual’s career. A correct balance between these three dimensions is critical to proper career positioning and progress.

When: Thursday, August 6, 2015, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Where: GIPA (and WebEx)

Unconscious Bias Seminar

OEEOD will be hosting a seminar on understanding unconscious bias.

What: Unconscious Bias refers to attitudes or beliefs we hold about others that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. Becoming aware of our unconscious biases can help mitigate them in the workplace.

When: Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Where: Only WebEx space available

Space is limited for both seminars. Please RSVP by e-mail to Chelsea Hansen. Please indicate your preference for in-person or WebEx attendance.

LSAT Prep Course by WISE

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2220267854_54f2b3e8d5_o (1)WiSE will be starting a new LSAT preparation course on July 21st  which will be meeting each Tuesday through September 29, 2015 from 2-5p in Remsen 10D 45 in preparation for the October 2015 LSAT. In addition to the course, we offer an optional study group for class participants and weekly practice tests. We currently do not offer a web ex option for this class. If you do miss a class there is the option to watch the lesson online, but it’s not live.

If you are a WiSE member, (anyone can join!-including contractors!), you will receive an additional $50 discount on the course and other member benefits. We host numerous professional, social and outreach events and you can take advantage of our resources to the extent that you would like as there are no participation requirements for our members.

Below is a link to register for the LSAT course

Reserve Your Seat

LSAT Class Schedule

If you’d like to join WISE, fill it out and email it back to Asifa Habib. It’s $26/year or $1/pay period with cash, check or pay roll deduction options.

If you have additional questions, please email the WISE inbox.

Additionally, we would greatly appreciate it if you could forward this email to your art units, circulate this message among your members,  or share this email with anyone you think would be interested in our course.

The following link provides information on the legal studies reimbursement program:http://ptoweb.uspto.gov/ptointranet/ohr/policies_and_procedures/agreements/popa/Legal_Studies_Supplement_2014_final.pdf#search=%20legal%20studies

We look forward to supporting your professional aspirations!

Sarah Al-Hashimi
President WiSE

Around Town

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Please join Federal GLOBE for its monthly Networking Happy Hour on Thursday, July 9th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Cobalt.

NOTE: Most Federal GLOBE Happy Hours are on the first Thursday of each month.  However, due to the July 4th holiday, the July 2015 Happy Hour will occur on July 9, 2015.

This event offers a great opportunity to network and socialize with other LGBT Federal employees.  Please help us spread the word; tell your colleagues or bring a friend.

Cobalt is conveniently located in Washington DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood at the corner of 17th and R Streets, NW.

To connect with Federal GLOBE on Facebook, use thefollowing link to request membership on the Federal GLOBE group page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_144779428928939.

Best,

Michael Benardo
Board Member
Federal GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Employees of the FederalGovernment)

On Campus

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CIPACaribbean Heritage Day Event

The United States Patent & Trademark Office Caribbean Intellectual Property Association (USPTO-CIPA), invites you to Caribbean Heritage Day on Wednesday July 1, 2015 from 12pm until 1:30 pm at the Madison Auditorium North.

Our program this year will highlight the contributions individuals of Caribbean descent have made to the development of the United States in key areas such as entertainment, politics, commerce, and science.  It would be our great honor to have you share in this our signature event for the calendar year.  There will be a short formal program that will include a brief presentation by former Ambassador Raymond Joseph.  Ambassador Joseph will provide an educational discussion entitled, “A Tribute to Haitian Soldiers for Heroism in the American Revolution.”

At the conclusion of this portion of our program, attendees will able to peruse the displays that will feature notable contributors of Caribbean descent and the contributions they have made over time.  There will also be some Caribbean style food which can be preordered or purchased onsite, as well as the opportunity to sample some indigenous Caribbean drinks (while supplies last.)

Webinar Tomorrow: WorkLife Balance “How to Get the Most Out of Both Sides of Life”

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rock-balanceThe Office of Human Resources Benefits and Worklife Branch, in partnership with LifeCare, will host a “WorkLife Balance: How to Get the Most Out of Both Sides of Life” webinar Tuesday, June 2, from noon – 1 p.m. ET. Register online to learn more.

LifeCare Consulting Trainer Steve Earley will discuss the challenges of determining what information to share or keep private about your personal lives while at work. For those in the LGBT community, there may be some additional pressures or notions about what to share and what not to. Participants will discuss when sharing aspects of personal life is potentially helpful or harmful.

For inquiries related to the “WorkLife Balance: How to Get the Most Out of Both Sides of Life” webinar or other USPTO Wellness events, contact the Compensation and Benefits Division.

Register at https://lifecare.webex.com/lifecare/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee1c73320d21509c3287035b8563b7300

All seminars are open to USPTO employees and their family members. All participants who are not USPTO employees must obtain visitors’ passes at the nearest security desk.

All programs are physically accessible to employees with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation, other auxiliary aids, or special arrangements should be made as far in advance as possible to the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity (OEEOD) or Tamika Beverly.

Meet our Executive Advisor

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powell_500x335Mark R. Powell currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for International Patent Cooperation, effective early 2014. Since early 2011, he had been on assignment to the Undersecretary and Director, focusing on a diversity of international issues, including worksharing and harmonization efforts. Mr. Powell began work at the USPTO in 1986 as a patent examiner in the area of high-energy physics, and became a senior examiner in high-definition television technology. In 1994, he became a supervisory examiner in what is now the main IT examining sector at the USPTO overseeing user-interface, artificial intelligence, source-code management, and computer graphics examination units. Mr. Powell served as a Technology Center Director from 2003-2011 in the telecommunications area, managing some 1,200 patent examiners, all while participating in international patent matters on behalf of the agency. During the years 2001-2003, he was on assignment to the US Department of State, Bureau of Nonproliferation, focusing on WMD issues in the former Soviet Union. Mr. Powell, a native of Mississippi, USA, holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from South Carolina’s Clemson University and a Certificate of Advanced Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, New York.

Pride Events Around Town

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The Federal Triangle Partnership Pride Program on Tuesday June 2, from 10-11 AM at the US Department of Commerce, Herbert C. Hoover Auditorium

Federal Globe Pride Month Networking Happy Hour on Thursday June 4th from 6 to 8 PM at Cobalt

Capital Pride Parade on June 13th at 4:30 from 22nd and P streets in Washington DC

Capital Pride Festival on June 14th from 12 to 7 PM at  Pennsylvania Ave., NW, between 3rd and 7th Sts., NW, Washington, DC

Calendar of Pride Events in DC by Capital Pride

Night Out at the Nationals

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11111603_10153748856944409_3929629636226413931_nHey Baseball Fans!
This year’s “Night OUT at the Nationals” takes place on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 when the Nats take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park. Pre-game activities begin at 5 pm, and game time is 7:05 pm. Tickets this year are $25 apiece but if we can get 60 people to go, we can get tickets as an “All Star Series Partner” for $18 apiece. Feel free to invite your friends and family as well! For more event info go to www.teamdc.org or check out the event on Facebook.
As an “All Star Series Partner” group, we would have access to special benefits and incentives including:
• First chance to purchase the lowest priced tickets for “Night OUT at the Nationals” at $18 each. This section will definitely sell out so the sooner we can get a group together the better. Only “All Star Series Partners” will be able to access the $18 level tickets.
• Listing of Lambda on the official Night OUT Series t-shirt created by Nellie’s Sports Bar.
• Limited number of free “Night OUT Series” t-shirts for members of our group.
• Listing of Lambda on the Team DC website as an “All Star Series Partner”.
• “Shout-out” of Lambda on the Team DC Twitter/Facebook feeds as an “All Star Series Partner”. (this “shout-out” can be linked to one of our online resources; e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Website)
• Recognition on the Jumbotron/Scoreboard at all Night OUT Series events.
• The opportunity for our leadership team (up to 4 people; two beer or soft drink tickets each) to join us for a private pre-game gathering the night of the “Night OUT at the Nationals” game
• No additional online ticket/service fees.
Matt Lewis will be coordinating tickets for this year’s event! Please let him know by May 15th if at all possible if you would like to go and be part of the Lambda group or if you have any questions. Hope to see you at Nats Park in June!