BYO Pumpkin Decorating Event by WiSE

pumpkinBYOPumpkin: Thursday, 10/22 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET in the Knox Building, Room 10D45.

We need helpers! If you are available for set up/clean up (at 11am/until 1pm) contact WiSE

Come celebrate fall with Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE-USPTO) at the Bring Your Own Pumpkin decorating event Thursday, October 22 The event is free for members and $3 for non-members.

WiSE will provide decorating supplies, and light snacks and refreshments will be served.

RSVP by October 20! For more information contact WiSE.
Please also indicate if you need a pumpkin.

HBCU Lunch Chat

BrownPPBlunchHistorically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have provided a foundation for achievement and have been a source of immeasurable pride for the African American community for over 150 years.  The achievement and pride have grown to extend beyond the African American community and beyond U.S. borders.

Section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation ….”

HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, young and old alike, an opportunity to grow and to hone their skills and talents.  HBCU students and graduates continue to achieve in an array of professions in both the public and private sectors, domestically and internationally.

If you are a student or an alumnus/alumna of an HBCU, this lunch hour is all about you and your school and to acknowledge the countless contributions these institutions and their alumni have made to the USPTO and around the world.  Please bring your lunch, and come celebrate annual HBCU Week (September) and also celebrate the end of the fiscal year.

When: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Time:  1 p.m.
Where:  Jefferson Conference Center – 1st Floor

Feel free to wear your HBCU paraphernalia or colors! All are welcome!

RSVP here with your name and your alma mater or current school.

Become a Volunteer!

Please join the USPTO Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Volunteer Alexandria for a Volunteer Fair on Thursday, August 27, 2015 from 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Madison Lower Atrium. Volunteering is a great way to enhance your leadership skills, meet new people, gain experience in new fields, and find personal fulfillment.

Participating organizations include:

Community Lodgings, Wright to Read, Alexandria Tutoring Consortium, Higher Achievement, Volunteer Alexandria, Casa Chirilagua, The Urban Alliance, Alexandria Department of Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Activities, Concerned Citizens Network Alexandria, Space of HER Own, Space of HIS Own, The Campagna Center, and RARE.

LSAT Prep Course by WISE

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

On Campus

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.)

Join us for the Community Day Parade!

The Lambda PTO group prepares to participate on the Community Day Parade 2014Last year, was the first time for Lambda at the Community Day Parade. We had a good time, carried a huge rainbow flag and walked with pride with our colleagues and friends. This year, we’re doing it again! Come join us as we assemble by the Command Booth this May 5th at 10:30 AM. We usually try to wear a pink shirt or the colors of the rainbow, your choice. Any ideas for props, trinkets or noisemakers we could use is very welcome. Let’s fly the rainbow flag!

On Campus

Wise Women’s History Month “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives” is happening TODAY at 11:30 in the  Madison Auditorium.

More InfoVolunteers Needed for Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day at the Alexandria Campus on April 23, 2015. We need greeters, registration personnel, escorts, hosts, photographers, session monitors, floaters, set-up personnel, break-down personnel, pre-event help.
For more info, contact Cheryl Hardy.

BIG 2015 Scholarship Video Essay Contest. The United States Patent and Trademark Office Chapter of Blacks In Government (PTO-BIG) Constance E. Green (CEG) Scholarship, invites currently enrolled 12th grade students, who will attend college in the Fall of 2015, to apply for a $500.00 scholarship that addresses the challenges of empowering school aged girls to pursue Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields. More info…

IPSIA Noruz Ball 2015 at Madison Auditorium on Saturday March 28, 2015 from 6pm-12pm. We would like to remind you that IPSIA Norouz Ball 2015 (6th annual Norouz Ball) tickets are being sold. Please consider purchasing your tickets by COB Tuesday March 24th since the seating assignment is based on First Come First Serve. More info…

Wise Mocktini Event and Benefit for Suited for Change on November 5th

Click for event flyerHello,

I wanted to invite you all and your members to a charity event we are having next week.

The event is free and should be a good networker with leadership within the office. Additionally, we are collecting gently used or new women’s suits, jewelry, bags and shoes to help Suited for Change, a wonderful organization helping disadvantaged women get into or back into the workforce by providing them with professional attire in addition to many resources for supporting their transition to a job or career. A representative from the organization will be in attendance to talk about the business incubator they have launched, supporting the entrepreneurial efforts of some of their clients.

Hope you can join us!

Best,
Sarah Al-Hashimi
President of WISE

Hispanic Heritage Month Activities Everywhere!

Todayat 4:00pm – 5:00 pm – Hispanic Heritage Month Salsathon
Come get your sweat on! SHPE’s Hispanic Heritage Month Salsa Class! FREE!!! @ Madison Building Lower atrium

Todayat 5:00pm – 7:30pm – Hispanic Heritage Month Happy Hour
Join SHPE-USPTO at celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month w/ a live DJ, Dancing and FUN! @ Madison Lower Atrium
BEER AND WINE OPEN BAR
Members $7, Non-Members $10
Attend the Salsa Class and get a $2 discount

October 6 – 31st – Coat Drive
SHPE-USPTO will have boxes at every lobby accepting any type of winter clothing donation.

 

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

HispanicHeritageThe Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE-USPTO) invites all employees to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Thursday, October 2 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET in the Madison Auditorium North on the Alexandria campus.

The keynote speaker will be the International Culinary Chef Giovanna Huyke.

Come in person or attend via Webex:

Event number: 640 146 499
Event password: 123456