Acknowledgements

As we, the members of the ARNA Conference Proceedings Editorial Team reflect on a one-year experiential learning and collaborative journey developing the Proceedings structure, processes, and procedures, there is a profound realization that publishing this first ARNA 2014 Conference Proceedings results from all of the ARNA community members’ efforts. Efforts that have been nourished and sustained by our connectedness through and within a shared passion for action research, trust and inquiry into the quality of our relationships, access to one another’s learning, desire to contribute and to make a difference, and, above all, aspiration for action and change by honoring who we are and becoming something different than we have been with every step that we make. Truly – nothing compares!

As the Lead Editor of the first ARNA 2014 Conference Proceedings and on behalf of the ARNA Conference Proceedings members, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to Lonnie Rowell, formerly the Chairperson of the 2013-2014 Transition Coordinating Group and currently the Chairperson of the ARNA Coordinating Group for his vision for the Proceedings, endless support and encouragement, personal touch and continued guidance, unprecedented responsiveness, dedication and commitment to quality. Lonnie has been the very model of an insightful, thoughtful, inspirational, caring, and engaged leader. We are also grateful to Joe Shosh, Shelley Yearley, Cathy Bruce, Margaret Riel, Miguel Angel Lopez Montoya, and Camilo Manchola, the members of the ARNA 2013-2014 Transition Coordinating Group. Thank you for having your shoulders accessible to us and for walking with us every step along the way developing the ARNA 2014 Proceedings. Thank you for being our most dedicated critical friends!

We would like to thank the ARNA 2014 Proceedings authors for their invaluable contributions to the ARNA knowledge mobilization and action research; dedication to quality, and patience with the process. This first publication of the ARNA 2014 Proceedings would not have been possible without you. The ARNA 2014 Proceedings pages are our tribute to you all!

Personally, I would like to thank Tara Flynn, Heather Leaman, Jamie Hill, and Jose Martinez, the members of the ARNA Proceedings Editorial Team for their outstanding commitment, countless hours of work, shared knowledge, talents and experiences, orientation to details, detailed reviews, and guidance. Thank you for being such a beautiful, inspirational, and supportive team of individuals! Thank you for being you! Truly – hats off!

We have been grateful to our entire community of the ARNA members who have enabled, sustained, and challenged us throughout this rewarding process of initiating, developing, and publishing this first ARNA 2014 Conference Proceedings. We are looking forward to our continued interactions as we refine and improve the developed procedures and plan for publishing the ARNA 2015 Conference Proceedings!