slick
Member
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde
Posts: 29
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Post by slick on Jun 4, 2009 14:49:28 GMT -5
Ok, I've read all the FAQ's (twice) and did a search, but couldn't find this answer. When we go to the training, what is the typical dress code? Since we're presumably going to be in a type of classroom setting, I don't know if we need to "dress up" as if on an interview or at work, or can be more casual. I've been to conferences at resorts where nearly everyone is in shorts and someone has shown up in a suit and tie (usually tax lawyers-they sleep in their suits). I want to be comfortable but also don't want to be glaringly out of place.
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Post by odarite on Jun 4, 2009 15:02:01 GMT -5
good point. FAQ update coming right up
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Post by ALJD on Jun 4, 2009 15:16:19 GMT -5
good point. FAQ update coming right up Odarite, you rock! ;D
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Post by northwest on Jun 4, 2009 15:44:01 GMT -5
Hey, let's all just agree to dress casually. It's going to be hot in Falls Church in July. We're going to be living out of suitcases. I think one nice suit for the graduation ceremony should do it. ;D
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jun 4, 2009 17:34:11 GMT -5
Hey, let's all just agree to dress casually. It's going to be hot in Falls Church in July. We're going to be living out of suitcases. I think one nice suit for the graduation ceremony should do it. ;D I second the emotion!
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Post by odarite on Jun 4, 2009 20:26:40 GMT -5
That's all very well, but you are at work and you are ALJs. Yes you are. From the minute you take your oath when you report to your duty station before you go to training. Really, business casual can be done with comfort and convenience without resorting to cargo shorts and Beer Here! T-shirts. Its not too much to ask.
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Post by awcpurple on Jun 4, 2009 23:54:59 GMT -5
Last year, most of us dressed business casual for most of the training. Khaki pants and polo shirts or button-collars for the men, equivalent dress for the women. A few folks wore shirt/tie the first day, but that didn't last long. Another small contingent wore jeans a few times, but not many. Definitely bring one business suit for the last day of class for the graduation ceremony and class picture. That's the only day you'll need to dress up and the only day you'll likely see the commissioner. You'll be sitting in class 8 hours per day with just a few breaks, so I recommend you dress for comfort. Just relax and enjoy the experience. My class did, and we all had a great time!
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Post by zarco522 on Jun 5, 2009 5:56:19 GMT -5
Okay, compromise? No words on the T-shirt, no rips in any jeans (no matter how cool they look on Angelina J), but no heels either! No stockings, no ties, no trial suits, but bring a suit for the last day?
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Post by alj on Jun 5, 2009 6:50:37 GMT -5
Northwest and Purple nailed it.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jun 5, 2009 8:22:47 GMT -5
I agree with business casual - just not the suits every day.
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Post by nonamouse on Jun 5, 2009 10:05:44 GMT -5
Business casual is fine, but realize that not every training class gets all of the VIP visitors on the last day or even on the same day. My class had the Commish during the training weeks, Deputy on another day, etc.
Also realize that the classroom was freakishly cold inside while it was Maryland steam heat outside, so do bring some long sleeve shirts for men and the same or a sweater for women. Also ladies, slacks or longer skirts may be more comfortable if the rooms are as cold as last year. We literally ended up with people wrapped in shawls, travel blankets and the like and still coming up with numb fingers and toes. No temp control. No joke!
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Post by aaa on Jun 5, 2009 11:59:59 GMT -5
I don't fell like anyone kept track of what we wore in BALTIMORE, however, this training will be in FALLS CHURCH. The instructors will likely wear suits/ties. I guess some of it depends on what you are comfortable with. I took a variety of clothes ranging from dressed up to crop pants. I guess I must be old and old school, but I was not personally comfortable wearing dresses/skirts without hose - personal choice for me. Although I wanted to wear jeans I just couldn't make myself do it. We had the COSS in to talk to us a couple of times; we had the then DCODAR talk to us a couple of times; and Judge Cristaudo was in a few times. On the days we had guests (and I think we knew ahead of time, every time), I dressed up a little more. I didn't want to embarass myself or the instructors and I thought that could also be a reflection on them. And then there's the part where we were told business casual which did not include jeans and the part where I was at work in a position where others look at me. On the flip side, I didn't want to wear uncomfortable clothes or shoes - there was quite a bit of walking involved so I couldn't sacrifice comfort for outstanding shoes! There was also a lot of sitting in chairs that really weren't the most comfortable and supportive, so if I was going to slouch part of the time, I was going to be comfortable in what I wore. I probably brought more clothes than I needed, not to mention shoes.
And one more thing to mention that worked for me - I brought my own laundry detergent with me measured out in a baggie (labeled as laundry detergent) and my own dryer sheets. That was easier for me instead of having to get quarters to buy the detergent, etc. at the hotel. Residence Inn will have laundry facilities and you can be reimbursed for it.
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Post by semipa on Jun 5, 2009 12:08:41 GMT -5
I was lazier than aaa. I dropped my laundry off weekly at a fluff-n-fold laundrymat and picked them up the next day, washed, dried, and folded. I had my slacks and shirts dry cleaned by the hotel valet service. Both were reimbursable expenses and saved me all that time in the laundry!
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Post by onepingonly on Jun 5, 2009 14:11:34 GMT -5
Does anyone know whether we will be required to stay at the designated hotel in order to be reimbursed? What was the room accommodation? One bedroom? Kitchenette? etc.
Or can we choose where we want to stay as long as it is at the per diem?
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Post by ALJD on Jun 5, 2009 15:32:44 GMT -5
Does anyone know whether we will be required to stay at the designated hotel in order to be reimbursed? What was the room accommodation? One bedroom? Kitchenette? etc. Or can we choose where we want to stay as long as it is at the per diem? Agency has contracted with a hotel at Pentagon City (believe it's a Residence Inn). Daily shuttle will be provided to FC, so don't think about making your own arrangements unless you want to pay your own way.
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Post by counselor95 on Jun 6, 2009 14:55:34 GMT -5
There are advantages to staying in the same hotel. Over the four weeks, you get to know the other people in the class quite well, and can make impromptu plans for dinner, sight-seeing, etc. Also, there is an SSA coordinator who arranged for the hotel/shuttle/ and some group outings and who stays at the hotel most of the time as an ombudsman. People could have their families come and the hotel didn't charge extra. It seemed that SSA had negotiated a good price (i.e., regular hotel cost was more than per diem), sometimes with a meal or two thrown in by the hotel.
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Post by doctorwho on Jun 6, 2009 16:57:18 GMT -5
For the guys: Dockers and long sleeve shirts. Nothing too fancy. You'll be fine. I was fine. Everybody was fine. Relax. This was not a huge deal. Enjoy it. Make friends. You will need them. "Be there" for each other after class -- you will need each other. Have fun!
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lee
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by lee on Jun 6, 2009 18:16:26 GMT -5
Doctor Who- We will miss you and Lurker in Hunt Valley next week. It will not be nearly as much fun without you all. lee
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Post by doctorwho on Jun 6, 2009 23:49:11 GMT -5
Lee, I will be visiting on Wednesday evening. Please make sure to say hi! I'll be where the drinks are!
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Post by lurker on Jun 9, 2009 7:11:36 GMT -5
Doctor Who- We will miss you and Lurker in Hunt Valley next week. It will not be nearly as much fun without you all. lee Aw shucks, thanks. It's so nice to be missed. I wish I could join Doctorwho and everyone on Wednesday but it's my son's birthday and if SSA isn't requiring me to be out of town, I need to be with him. To all the new aljs - relax, wear comfortable clothes (as the doctor ordered), stay in the "official" hotel (we had a suite set up with bedroom, living room, kitchenette) and make friends. You will find your classmates to be tremendous resources in the year ahead as you make your way up the sometimes very steep learning curve. At least, that was this outsider's experience.
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