As the newly elected President of the UMA, one of my objectives is to keep everyone informed about the events and happenings of the UMA. I will be sending out a monthly email with updates and upcoming events. We will also put together a monthly “Scuttlebutt” which will include more articles and information. If you haven’t already done so, please like our Facebook page and check out the UMA website. As a reminder, the mission of the UMA is to provide fellowship, mentorship, and advocacy for military veterans working at the USPTO, and to help educate others on the important contributions that veterans have made and continue to make to the workforce and our nation at large. UMA membership is open to veterans and non-veterans alike.
The UMA had its first meeting of 2016 and a lot of great ideas were discussed. The UMA depends on our membership to make these ideas come to reality, so if you’re interested in leading a committee, helping out on a committee or event, volunteering or just have a great idea on something you would like to see, please contact us at UMA@USPTO.GOV.
Coffee Break: We have weekly UMA coffee breaks across from Innovation Grounds on Tuesdays from 9-10. If you would like to share some war/sea stories, please drop by, even if only for a couple of minutes to say “Hi”.
Wreaths Across America: Several members of the UMA volunteered to help lay Remembrance Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, December 12, 2015. The Wreath’s Across America Clean-Up at Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2016. There is no sign-up or registration required participating. If you are interested please check out the website or contact Catherine Ferreira.
Volunteer positions: The UMA is looking for members to help us with the following activities:
• Remembrance Day Event Committee Lead and Members
• Veteran’s Day Celebration Committee Lead and Members
• Social Coordinator
• Communication Committee Lead and Members
• Quarterly Newsletter Editor
UMA Calendar of Events:
• Weekly Coffees every Tuesday across from Innovation Grounds from 9-10.
• Monthly Board of Directors Meeting (second Tuesday of the month from 1200-1300)
• March (Date TBD) – Quarterly Membership Meeting
• (Date TBD), UMA Sponsored Blood Drive
• May 26 – Remembrance Day Event
• June (Date TBD) – Quarterly Membership Meeting
• June 14 – Army Birthday
• August 4 – Coast Guard Birthday
• September (Date TBD) – Quarterly Membership Meeting
• September 18 – Air Force Birthday
• October 13 – Navy Birthday
• November (Date TBD) – Quarterly Membership Meeting
• November 10, Veteran’s Day Celebration / Marine Corps Birthday
Veteran Events:
• The USPTO Veteran Hiring Program will be providing an information session on the Veteran Internship Program (VIP) – Patent Examiner Student Trainee position on February 11th at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Because the VIP has both a nationwide program and a regional program, there are two vacancy announcements open here, one for each program. More information about the VIP can be found here. The POCs for the info session are Sharon Gibson and Melissa Davis.
• Serve Our Willing Warriors (SOWW) is hosting a Monte Carlo Night fundraiser on February 27th. SOWW is a local charity located near the Manassas Battlefield in Virginia whose mission is to provide a “home away from home” environment for our Nations wounded, ill and injured Warriors currently residing at nearby military hospitals. http://www.willingwarriors.org/montecarlo. Contact Dean Dominique for more information about SOWW.
• The United States Army Warrior Transition Command will be hosting the 2016 DoD Warrior Games at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, June 15-21, 2016 and are looking for volunteers. You can check out the Facebook page at for more information as it becomes available.
If you know of any other veteran-related events, please send an email to UMA@USPTO.GOV and we will include it in the next update.
ICYMI: Check out the USPTO Weekly article, UMA President Highlighted in Prince William Living Magazine.
Did You Know? The official Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis,” was adopted in 1883 and is Latin for Always Faithful.