The Sept. 21st NJ Together at Montclair founding meeting that took place at Immaculate Conception Church was far more newsworthy than The Times made it seem. Not only were more than 10 Montclair area congregations represented, but the conversations at each of 14 tables among the more than 120 attendees zeroed in on the very same issues that The Montclair Times, The Star-Ledger and even The New York Times find newsworthy: Topics that our presidential, congressional and local leaders are batting around, that concern our local citizenry; issues that, if addressed among a core group of community-minded citizens, could make for substantive change.

The issues that rose above others as opportunities for examination and action included youth services, public education and affordable housing. Other issues discussed included the state of our local roads, small-business concerns, public transportation and pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Additionally, while the local clergy association is responsible for coordinating the founding meeting and did commit to bring people from their congregations to begin these important conversations, it is the citizenry itself, rooted in their faith communities and seeking avenues for social justice, that will prove the backbone and promulgators for action.

Community organizing, at its heart, is about mobilizing the "third sector" of engaged citizens, such that the very individuals whose lives are most impacted by public policy are the ones who can push for change.

By gathering together to listen to what keeps people in Montclair up at night, NJ Together at Montclair is taking the first step toward organizing around relevant and important issues.

As the Listening Campaign progresses and opportunities for action are identified, we look forward to coverage by the local press.