To encourage employee interactions among DOE JGI staff–who reside in three different buildings— the Diversity & Inclusion Working Group launched the first monthly Coffee Social in August, 2015. The events are organized by the Working Group, but different groups within the DOE JGI take on the hosting duties at each gathering over the course of the year.
These Coffee Socials give staff the opportunity to meet new employees or get to know colleagues they might not interact with on a daily basis, and offer a convivial atmosphere to discuss hobbies or work matters.
The initial Coffee Social held in August was hosted by the GOLD, IMG, and OMICS Teams under Nikos Kyrpides and Victor Markowitz. The September Coffee Social was hosted by the Project Management Office under Tootie Tatum.