Communication

We are the Federal Center Toastmasters Club. We meet the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursday of each month in Hyattsville, MD, from 12 noon to 1pm. Our meetings are held at the headquarters of the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics of the CDC. Our meetings are open to the public, though visitors must go through building security procedures. For visitors who are not U.S. citizens, we do need to pre-coordinate a first visit with our security team. Contact us at: 1260@toastmastersclubs.org. We have been a Toastmasters Club for 40 years and always welcome new members! Join us, and you will improve your public-speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, supportive atmosphere!

Free State is a cool spot near Gallery Place. Happy hour prices till 6pm so come early if you please. They have a good N/A selection and outside food is permitted. Come and go as your schedule allows.

The city of Laurel has reopened the community centers! GCOM Laurel will be happening again Thursday night! We’ll be gaming from 6-9pm. Masks are still required and if you’re not feeling well, get better and join us next week. We’re at the Robert J DiPietro center!

Join Team Network’s Vienna Venture Network Captains Mark Sweeney and John Partridge professional networking **Every Thursday 8-9:30 am.** The "first" Thursday, we meet at everyone's favorite... Anita's (521 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180). ALL OTHER THURSDAYS WE MEET ON ZOOM **Meeting ID** 301 370 5351 **Passcode:** 010192 ALWAYS CHECK HERE FOR THE MOST CURRENT MEETING INFORMATION: Look for the Vienna Ventures Network at [https://www.teamnetworkcorporation.com/events ](https://www.teamnetworkcorporation.com/events) QUESTIONS? Email info@teamnetwork.com

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

Calling all DMV Foodies! Join us for an unforgettable evening of international cuisine and social networking. This event is perfect for those new in town, looking to make new friends, and have a fun time exploring the diverse food scene in the area. Get ready to indulge in mouthwatering dishes, exchange recommendations for the best dining spots in the DMV area, and connect with like-minded foodies who share your passion for delicious meals and great company. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a culinary adventure while expanding your social circle in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Grab your seat at the table, and let's make memories over a fantastic meal together!

Shilohites Toastmasters meets every 2nd and 4th Sundays. Meetings start at 4:00 pm, and last one hour. We are a community club open to all. Parking is free. We focus on personal goals for professional development.

We are excited to host the first NoVA Speed Puzzling competition! **Please note**: Registration is required, RSVPing on Meetup does not reserve your spot! Please sign up at https://tinyurl.com/novapuzzlers Your team can have either 2, 3, or 4 members, only ONE registration and ticket per team is required. **Date**: February 7th, 2026 **Time**: 11am **Address**: Mary Riley Stiles Public Library (*[120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mary+Riley+Styles+Public+Library/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x21cee656f7933a3b?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111)*) @ the Main Level Conference Room More details and sign up: https://tinyurl.com/novapuzzlers

Title: Biology-Inspired Neural Networks with Multi-Directional Propagation of Values and Distributions Date: Feb 8 2026 10:00 am - Noon EST Summary: While biological axons can propagate in both directions, current ANNs are focused on unidirectional propagation. Also usually they only propagate values, while uncertainty is shown also crucial for making decisions of biological organisms - suggesting to propagate also variance, probability distributions. I will talk about novel KAN-like approach to ANNs repairing these lack by using neurons containing inexpensive local joint distribution model as polynomial, allowing to freely change propagation direction by just switching indexes, also propagate entire probability distributions represented by vectors of moments. Beside backpropagation, it also allows many additional training approaches, like direct estimation, tensor decomposition, and through information bottleneck. Speaker: Dr Jarek Duda is an assistant professor at Jagiellonian University. He holds degrees in computer science (PhD), mathematics (MSc) and physics (PhD). He is mainly focused on physics foundations, information theory, statistical analysis, and is known for introduction of asymmetric numeral systems. Moderators: Dr. Pawel Gora, CEO of Quantum AI Foundation and Dr. Sebastian Zajac , member of QPoland Zoom registration form will be provided no later than 1 hour prior to the event's start time.

Join us for unlimited bowling night! 🎟️ $17.99/person—includes shoe rental! 🎉 Let’s bowl! Join us for a fun, relaxed unlimited bowling night. 🔔 If plans change, please make sure to update your RSVP Look forward to a fun night out!

**Join us in Falls Church for conversations that go beyond small talk.** Higher Grounds – Falls Church is where this growing network of gatherings began: a space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room. There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you *you* (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique. MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Falls Church who are also seeking deeper conversations. **Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions** 1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging? 2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists? 3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about? **Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles** 1. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? 2. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed? 3. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted? **Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human** 1. What human experiences will AI never truly understand? 2. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do? 3. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated? **Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning** 1. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space? 2. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live? 3. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self? **Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche** 1. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have? 2. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire? 3. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept? **Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose** 1. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you? 2. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors? 3. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years? **Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection** 1. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why? 2. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best? 3. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others? **Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality** 1. What are you running out of time to say or do? 2. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite? 3. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail? **Suggested Questions: Society & Culture** 1. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense? 2. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing? 3. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years? **Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy** 1. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way? 2. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out 3. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

**Drop-ins are allowed (you don't have to attend every week) but an RSVP is required so you receive the Zoom link. It's the same link for every class!** **Sign up here:** **[https://harringtonmatchmaking.as.me/constellations10](https://harringtonmatchmaking.as.me/constellations10)** Join a virtual group that meets on Wednesdays + Sundays and focuses on conversational skills, building early friendship and dating confidence, and so much more for neurodivergent adults. All are welcome, but this group is designed especially for autistic adults with little to no relationship experience and those who struggle with holding conversations or making new friends. The group is currently open at no cost to Neurodivergent District members but is part of the [Constellations program by Harrington Matchmaking](https://www.harringtonmatchmaking.com/constellations-membership). Currently, most participants are between ages 20 and 45 and are members of Constellations so they've signed up through the website. Many live with family, in supported or semi-independent housing, College Living Experience programs, or similar settings, and are looking for a safe, low-pressure place to practice conversation. Sessions are coach-led and structured. This is not a free-form discussion group. Each meeting includes guided practice, clear coaching, optional weekly sharing, and supportive feedback. The majority of the sessions are virtual, with occasional in-person meetups once a month on weekends in the Washington, DC area. **Drop-ins are allowed (you don't have to attend every week) but an RSVP is required so you receive the Zoom link. It's the same link for every class!** **Sign up here:** **[https://harringtonmatchmaking.as.me/constellations10](https://harringtonmatchmaking.as.me/constellations10)** Feel free to message me with questions. \- Kate Inez Harrington kate@neurodivergentdistrict.com 202-925-0001 \*This group is part of Constellations by Harrington Matchmaking, which offers year-round access to coached programs, social opportunities, and dating support. When possible, members are matched with other members for friends and/or dating. Learn more [here](https://www.harringtonmatchmaking.com/constellations-membership). FAQ at end of web page.\*

How to be a Better Communicator Communication is everything in life Sunday, 23 February at 2pm. You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

**People Analytics 101: Making Sense of Compensation Data** Compensation data is one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood forms of people analytics. The session will cover where compensation data comes from, including market pricing data, internal payroll data, and benchmarking sources, and how companies think about structuring and analyzing that information. We will explore how compensation data is leveraged to set salary ranges, manage internal equity, support hiring and retention, and align pay with business strategy. A portion of the session will address common data challenges and limitations, such as market noise, inconsistent job matching, and incomplete datasets, while keeping the primary focus on practical use rather than technical depth. The session will also look ahead at where the space is going, including the growing impact of pay transparency laws, expanding pay equity requirements, and emerging regulations in the US and Europe that require organizations to report on gender and pay gaps. The goal is to give attendees a clear mental model for how compensation analytics works today and why getting it right is becoming increasingly critical. (note: we are back at Rev1 this month!) **About Our Speaker** [Alex Moore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexscottmoore/) is the founder of [Moore Cooperative](https://moorecooperative.com/), where he advises organizations on compensation strategy, pay equity, and people analytics. His work focuses on helping organizations like the Ohio Supreme Court design, analyze, and communicate compensation systems that are data-informed, defensible, and aligned with organizational goals. Alex lives in Granville, Ohio and has three little kiddos. More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Join members of the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. There _might_ be a little snow, but there _will_ be effectively infinite serve-yourself coffee, so it evens out if you ask me. Just a reminder, while the other locations are great too, we’re at the Lane Ave one this time.

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

I love my job and one of the main things I do is help customers get going with any of the data technologies at Microsoft. Right now there are a lot of my customers asking about Microsoft Fabric. It's hard to weave across all the shiny new options across the Fabric landscape, let alone figure out where it fits into your organization. In this session we'll focus on answering one question - how can I get data into Fabric? We'll talk through the "it depends" options and see some of the options in live demos.

This is not just a money class. This is a restoration space. The I AM Worthy of Ownership™ Path is a 12-step, sister-centered journey for women who are ready to build financial stability without shame, fear, or pressure—and to do it in a way that honors both wisdom and the spirit. Many women don’t struggle with money because they lack discipline or intelligence. They struggle because of unhealed experiences, survival patterns, and the quiet belief that they are “behind” or “disqualified.” This series gently challenges those beliefs while offering practical tools for peace, clarity, and long-term planning. Together, we will talk honestly about: Releasing shame and money anxiety Building stability as a form of self-respect and spiritual discipline Understanding money as a tool, not a source of worth Managing debt with clarity instead of condemnation Preparing for life’s unexpected moments without fear Laying a calm foundation for future ownership and legacy Each session blends practical financial education with reflection, conversation, and encouragement. There is no pressure to share personal numbers or experiences. You are welcome to speak, journal quietly, or simply listen. This is not about hustle. This is not about perfection. This is about alignment, wisdom, and peace. Who this series is for: Women who are starting over or rebuilding Women who want stability without stress Women preparing for future ownership or housing decisions Women who want their financial lives to reflect wholeness, not fear No prior financial knowledge is required. Come as you are. Bring a notebook. Leave a little lighter than you arrived. Light refreshments will be served along with 30 minutes of networking.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!