Description

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Gary D. Nissenbaum's powerful new book, "Assembling the Pieces: Supercharging Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committees", presents a seven-step plan for Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committees to reach their highest potential for effective and meaningful outreach to those in need. He argues that if helping the dispossessed is such an integral aspect of spiritual growth, then we are called upon to do so in an effective and meaningful way. Good intentions only go so far. Accomplishments count. Mr. Nissenbaum asks whether at times, our Social Action Committees unconsciously "ride the brake". Are they functional, but in key respects, holding themselves back? He believes that we need to allow our Social Action Committees to soar, to become Unitarian Universalism sung in the full musical scale. "With a combination of practical insights, telling examples, and good humor, Assembling the Pieces aims to make it harder for anyone to claim they don't know how to make a social action committee work. And, by the way, much of Gary's common sense applies to other committees as well." (William F. Schulz, President and CEO, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) "Sometimes what saves us isn't rocket science but it is repeatable. What Gary Nissenbaum did to re-invigorate our sense of the possible was something he did with clear intents and means and remarkable results. This book offers anyone else that recipe for success." (Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Parish Minister, The Unitarian Church in Summit)

About the Author

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Gary D. Nissenbaum has been the Chair of the Social Action Committee of The Unitarian Church in Summit since 2005. In 2010, the congregation received the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's Social Action Award. It was the first year such an award was given. That same year, it was also one of only two large congregations to receive the Unitarian Universalist Association's Breakthrough Congregation Award. Mr. Nissenbaum is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and serves as a cooperating attorney for that organization. He has published numerous articles on civil liberties issues for New Jersey Lawyer Magazine and is a frequent speaker on that topic to community groups, youth organizations and colleges. Mr. Nissenbaum is the managing principal of the Nissenbaum Law Group, a commercial law firm with offices in New Jersey, New York, Texas and Pennsylvania. He is a former Chairman of the District XII Attorney Ethics Committee (Union County) and a current member of the New Jersey, New York, Texas and District of Columbia Bars. He is also a published novelist and a Tai Chi Chuan instructor. Mr. Nissenbaum can be reached by email at gdn@gdnlaw.com.