Speak Up!: Employee Viewpoint Survey

Marketing FlyerOn May 9, OPM asked a random sample of USPTO employees to participate in the 2017 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). Some of you are a part of that sample, so please check your inbox for a link to this year’s FEVS from OPM.GOV.

This year’s FEVS slogan is “Speak Up!,”­ and as an affinity group, it’s important that we do just that. Unlike the People Survey, the FEVS goes to a random sample of employees, so not everyone will have an opportunity to take it.

Responses to the survey are completely confidential. Managers and supervisors will have no knowledge of who receives a survey link.

As always, thanks for doing you part to make the USPTO a great place to work.

T-Shirts and More: Check Out Our Shop!

If you missed our t-shirts on Community Day, or saw them and would like to buy one, check out our brand new Lambda Shop. We have so many styles and colors to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something you like. Plus all profit ($3 out of every sale) will go to the Lambda PTO fund. Since our group has the distinction of being the only one that doesn’t charge membership dues, we could use other ways to raise funds to use for membership events. We are also looking for ideas and graphics you would like to see and wear, so we can expand our selection. So If you can imagine a quirky design that may appeal to PTO folks, we can make it happen!

Save the Date: Pride Celebration at USPTO

Dr. T. Parker-Meredith PhotoJune 7th 2017 at the Knox Conference Center
Time: TBD
This will be a joint LambdaPTO, UMA & FEW event.

Our guest speaker: Lieutenant Colonel & Dr. Tosha Parker-Meredith

After serving almost 25 years in the United States Army and Air Force Reserves, Dr. Parker-Meredith retired in 2012 as a Lt. Col. She had the privilege of serving her great nation while leading hundreds of military troops during various assignments around the world. Having a background in research, healthcare administration, and finance, Lt. Col Parker-Meredith held various senior leadership positions in the military.

A proud graduate of the University of Phoenix, Dr. Parker-Meredith holds a Doctorate of Business Administration and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the American Fellowship Church. Dr. Parker-Meredith also bolsters Three Master’s Degrees; a Master’s in Business Administration; a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Training; and a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Leadership. She considers herself a life-long learner and received her undergraduate degree in Administration of Justice from Marian University. Dr. Parker-Meredith is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Theology from Apostolic University, in Cary, NC.

In addition to her ministry and military experience, Dr. Parker-Meredith has over 20 years of experience managing assets up to $2Million through her real estate company, Meredith Real Estate Holdings (MRH). Dr. Parker-Meredith has a solid reputation for providing financial literacy training through her foundation, The Dr. Tosha Meredith Foundation (DTMF). Known for her motivational speaking and teaching all around the world, Dr. Parker-Meredith travels and facilitates on their family’s core values; Authenticity; Integrity; and Transparency. Dr. Parker-Meredith is married to Mrs. Lu’Wana (Elle) Parker-Meredith and together they have two daughters; Kharma Rene’ and Aje Denise. The family has three dogs; Duke, Zeus, and Princess.

Dr. Parker-Meredith is the self-published author of four books and two special publications. All of her self-published books are available on Amazon.Com, BarnesandNoble.Com, and Apple IBooks.

USPTO Blood Drive

For those who can donate: Event FlyerTwo Opportunities to Save Lives
April 20, 2017 from 9AM to 4PM
April 21, 2017 from 9AM to 3PM

Plus a chance to receive Two Tickets* to a Washington Nationals game!

Two Tickets for each of the following games are available as a giveaway for two lucky donors:
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets, Saturday, April 29th at 1:05PM
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets, Sunday April 30th at 1:35PM

Two lucky donors will be chosen randomly.

*Donors must go through the screening process on 4/20/17 or 4/21/17 to be eligible for the ticked giveaway.

ResponAbility Meet & Greet

Event FlyerNeed a late afternoon pick me up? Take a coffee break and come out next Thursday, April 20, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the lower atrium of the Madison building. We’ll have free Starbucks, cookies, and cupcakes, as well as our various handouts and information—even a video playing in the background.

Come say hello to your friendly ResponsAbility board and fellow members.

Bengali New Year and Cultural Program

Event flyerGood Morning and Happy Bengali new year! Hope you can join us for luncheon and  short cultural program (Dance & Music) on April 19th at the Madison lower atrium from 11.30AM-1PM to celebrate Bengali new year.

Tickets are $10. Please let us know if you need ticket, one of us will stop by. You can also buy tickets online at https://sites.google.com/site/baipopohelaboishakh/ Menu and other information can be found on the flyer.

Hope to see you there,

Mohammed Shahan Rahaman Bengali New Year Event coordinator & Vice President, BANGLADESHI-AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (BAIPO)

April Wellness Events

Check out all these events coming up in April and don’t forget to register at: http://w-pattr-102:8504/EventRegistration.aspx

Modern MeditationTraining

TODAY Tuesday, April 11
12: :00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Jefferson Building Conference Room 1D70/80
Space is limited.
For questions, contact the Compensation
and Benefits Division at (571)272-6209.
At this training workshop, you will:
• Learn the science behind the ancient practice of meditation.
• Try out a new skill for coping with pressure.
• Find out how to thicken your frontal cortex, lower your blood pressure,
extend your lifespan, and much more.
Join Thomas F. Valone, PhD, PE, physicist, and licensed professional engineer with
30 years professional experience, as he shares insight on meditation. A retired
patent examiner, research engineer, instrumentation designer, author, lecturer,
and consultant on future energy developments, Dr. Valone is president and
founder of Integrity Research Institute, a former physics teacher at Erie
Community College, and a research director for Scott Aviation-ATO, Inc. He is the
author of several books and more than 100 published reports and articles, and he
has appeared on CNN, A&E, and the Discovery Channel.

Get an Individual Financial Q&A Session with First Financial Group
04/11-12/17@Knox Conference Center, Room 8D44A 11 a.m.— 1 p.m.

Parents Helping Parents
04/18/17via Teleconference Noon—1 p.m.

USPTO Green Fair
04/20/17@Madison Auditorium Lower Atrium 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
04/25/17 via Webinar Noon—1 p.m.

GEHA and AETNA Health Service Day
04/25/17@ETH 5th Floor 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Health Service Day
04/26/17@ETH 5th Floor 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

USPTO Annual Wellness Fair held in conjunction with Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day)
04/27/17@Madison Auditorium & Lower Atrium 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Children’s Nutrition 101
04/28/17via Webinar Noon—1 p.m.

Last Friday was Transgender Day of Visibility

According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), “observed each year on March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate the courage it takes to live openly and authentically, while also recognizing the leadership of transgender and gender nonconforming trailblazers who have led the charge in the fight for equality.”
Your friends at Lambda PTO encourage you to live openly and authentically, thus inspiring your co-workers to do the same.  Don’t forget Lambda PTO is here as a resource for support and information about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. For more information on this day’s observance, read this article from HRC on why Trans Visibility Matters.

LGBTQIA People with Disabilities Meeting in DC

A triangle made up of rainbow colors with the symbol of a person in a wheelchairThis is a new group being introduced targeting people with disabilities (PWD). It seeks to support, educate, empower and create change for PWD. Discussion would include but not limited to:

  • Common intersections between LGBTQIA/ disability.
  • Dating/ relationship perspectives
  • Creating access/ breaking down barriers in public spaces for LGBTQ PWD’s .

The group facilitator will be Actor/ Disability Advocate Andy Arias – queries can be sent to andyarias09 at gmail.com.
Meetings are every second Friday of each month.

Date/Time
Date – 03/10/2017 from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location
The DC Center