Hi Drupalers!  Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lauren Shey (lshey) and I am the new Drupal Association’s Community Outreach Coordinator. My 1st day at the Association was Monday, January 20, 2014 and I have already fallen in love with the community and its passion for inclusiveness and progressive technology! 

Previous to starting with the Drupal Association, I had been working in non-profits for more than six years, with an established international youth movement, BBYO.   The organization concentrates on grass-roots teen involvement, programmatically focusing on leadership, community service, and social action programming.  While working in this role in the US Pacific Northwest community, one of my main focuses was Community Outreach and Partnerships in Seattle, Portland, and Eugene.  In addition, I was fortunate to travel internationally and represent the organization in Italy, Slovenia, and Israel, traveling with teens and connecting them to their Jewish roots. For the last 3 years, at BBYO’s largest event hosting 1500 teens, I had the opportunity to work directly at our International Convention with teens, volunteers, and colleagues from North America, Europe, and the Middle East. 

I truly enjoy connecting with an organization’s volunteers, leaders, and partners.  Professionally and personally I believe that these stakeholders are what drives momentum, growth, and awareness for an organization.  Without the support and enthusiasm of volunteers, partners and leadership, the Drupal Association and the Drupal project would cease to exist. 

In my oh-so-precious downtime, I also love to connect with my local community.  I volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society, working in the development (fundraising) office as well as working as an Adoption Specialist for cats and kittens. I am a pet parent to two cats, Brolly (Bruce Pearl and Dolly Parton) and an adorable dog Neyland (I might be biased, but they are the cutest pets in the entire world).  In addition, I am an avid knitter and have been knitting for 10 years. You can find me online in the wee hours of the morning reading patterns on Rav. And finally, I am a gluten-free foodie, always working, reading, researching, testing ways to recreate dishes with a little bit of flare. The many aisles of Powell’s cookbooks are a very dangerous place for me to linger. 

While working for the Drupal Association, I am charged with arranging Global Training Days, Community Webinars, keeping up with Drupal Camps and finding ways to support all of the great work you're doing in your community. Part of my introduction to the Drupal world will be working/connecting to gather information from you, and I’d love to chat and learn about what is most important to you, and how you became involved in the Drupal Community. You can reach me at lauren@association.drupal.org. Also, follow me on Twitter @lsheydrupal for updates on the DA, community programs and what is happening in Drupal communities worldwide.

I am excited to connect to all of you in the upcoming months!