My background and history with Drupal:
My journey with Drupal is intrinsically linked to resilience, change, and the tenacity of humanity to rebuild and support one another. In 2008, I relocated to Houston, Texas, to aid in the city's recovery after the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Seeking a way to harness technology to improve community revitalisation, I discovered Drupal through a simple Google search: “software for building an online community.” This wasn't just about technology; it was a calling to connect those willing and able to help with storm victims. I've detailed this experience in my LinkedIn article, "My Drupal Genesis" ( https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-drupal-genesis-dallas-ramsden ).
Fast forward twelve years to the peak of COVID-19, I recently became a permanent resident of New Zealand and was serving as a Senior Drupal Curriculum Manager for Acquia. This journey began in 2015 when I decided to dedicate my career to the values of open source and Drupal. Taking a leap of faith, I moved across the globe to Acquia HQ in Boston, USA - a place I'd never been - to become a Drupal trainer for university interns interested in working at Acquia. My effectiveness in teaching others how to transition from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8 helped teams and individuals embrace the changes in mindset and methodology shifts required for success in “new” Drupal. The D7 to D8 transition was a tumultuous period for Drupal, but it was also a time of collective growth as we moved off the “Drupal Island” and navigated towards the future.
In 2020, as the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, I again recognised Drupal’s innate power to build community and foster connections. This was a phase of significant creation in my life. With more individuals and teams turning to online learning, I leveraged my role to create the most empathetic, engaging, and valuable video course material I could. The Drupal Immersion training series evolved into Acquia’s Drupal Site Builder, Layout & Theming, and Module Development video courses still in use today. I'm honoured to know that tens of thousands have engaged with these courses, including the team at the Sydney Opera House, who recently transitioned from Adobe Experience Manager to Drupal. I've expressed my gratitude for this experience on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dallas-ramsden_drupalsouth-sydney-2024-was-amazing-in-all-activity-7178158798488973312-is2P/ .
Now, as we enter the “Drupal Starshot” era, I'm focused on helping define a new chapter for Drupal CMS. I've initiated this with my YouTube series, "The Starshot Chronicles" ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYuFjCDT5_Z73RrLohtLI7tiCUG_VJY_5 ), and by representing our community through a presentation at DrupalCon Singapore 2024, "Uniting Science, Culture, and Community: Drupal's Transformative Power" ( https://events.drupal.org/singapore2024/session/uniting-science-culture-and-community-drupals-transformative-power ).
Why I'm running as a candidate:
I'm running as a candidate because I believe in the power of community and the transformative potential of Drupal. This position allows me to grow our community in terms of membership and contribution activities, strengthen and evolve our Drupal meetups, and establish cross-industry relationships connecting Drupal with emerging markets. I aim to bring new perspectives and innovative approaches to the DrupalSouth event, helping our community to grow in modern and dynamic ways.
As I establish deeper roots here in New Zealand, I recognise that our region can demonstrate thought leadership and showcase Drupal’s use across various industries by leveraging the strength of our existing communities. I want to help our region become a beacon for innovation within the Drupal ecosystem.
Why you should vote for me:
I am deeply committed to advancing Drupal and strengthening our community. If elected to the DrupalSouth Committee, I will:
1) Expand our community by engaging new audiences through universities and innovative meetups, infusing fresh ideas and energy into our ecosystem.
2) Foster collaboration by establishing cross-industry partnerships and connecting Drupal with emerging markets to unlock new opportunities.
3) Lead with passion and leverage my experience in education and open source to drive innovation and ensure our community thrives.
Your vote is a step towards a vibrant future in which Drupal continues to evolve and lead. Together, we can build a stronger, more dynamic community. I would be honored to have your support.
Gender:
Male
Anything else voters should know?
To encapsulate my vision for Drupal's future, I offer this haiku:
Code we weave anew
Community builds the bridge
Drupal's star ascends
