This feature seeks out answers to questions of broad interest in each issue, drawing on experts in churches, the UUA and elsewhere.

Q. We just had our annual meeting and we were barely able to declare a quorum at the start of the meeting. The same was true at a special meeting we held earlier this year. By the time we got around to voting I'm sure we had lost our quorum. I find it a little disappointing. How do other congregations manage to get a quorum out to their meetings?

A. "A vital component of healthy attendance at congregational meetings is the degree of ownership the members feel in the decision-making process, " says Steve Owen, board chair of UU Church of Arlington, VA (832). He notes that it's extremely important to keep the congregation involved in major issues at every step of the way. At Arlington, which faced a number of issues related to the recent departure of a longtime minister, the issues have been discussed at three congregational meetings since last fall, in addition to a series of small-group forums and an adult education class. All of that discussion culminated in a fourth congregational meeting, where the quorum was exceeded four-fold and the issues were resolved with near-unanimity. Owen notes, "Six weeks later people are still commenting on how our democratic processes are the cornerstone of our church."

Phil Shuman, treasurer of the UU Fellowship St.Thomas-St. John, St. John, Virgin Islands (25), offers another perspective. "In all of the church groups I have been involved with over the past 60 years, I have always found that the membership will come out for food. Even though our present group is small, we manage to get nearly 100 per cent participation by having the meeting preceeding a potluck. That way if the meeting drags on the food gets cold."

Q. Can our congregation use the UUA's federal tax identification number and if not, how do we get one of our own?

A. If a congregation were to use the UUA's ID number it would confuse the IRS, says Ralph Mero, the UUA's church staff finances director. To get one of your own call the IRS and ask for the form to fill out to obtain an employer's tax ID number. You send in the form and get a postcard back from the IRS with an ID number on it. Use that number on your bank accounts and in connection with taxes and Social Security tax withheld on all employees except the minister.

Q. Recently a newcomer to our congregation asked if there was some advantage for the church in her becoming a member. I know about the advantages that she would have, but I wasn't sure what to tell her about what advantage there would be to the church. Can anyone help?

A. The total membership count determines the number of delegates your congregation will have at General Assembly, says Kok-Heong McNaughton, membership chair, Unitarian Church, Los Alamos, NM (151). When our churches speak out, take a stand, or get involved in the community our impact is greater if our statements have more voices behind them, says Kaye McSpadden, Director of Religious Education, UU Fellowship, Lafayette, IN (144). If we really want to make a difference and be heard then we need to beef up our numbers so we cannot be ignored or dismissed as small and insignificant.

Q. Could someone tell me what the average annual pledge is among all Unitarian Universalists? The information might help to raise our congregation's pledging level.

A. It is much more helpful, says Carla Kindt, the UUA's Building Programs director, for an individual congregation to compare itself to similar congregations than to a denominational average. "I think a small lay-led fellowship may want to compare its giving to that of other similar congregations. I think a healthy thriving suburban congregation may want to learn what other similar congregations are able to raise. But a full-service congregation paying a mortgage might find it unhelpful to compare itself to a well-endowed congregation with no mortgage, or to a lay-led fellowship."

In addition, Mary Miles, the UUA's Annual Program Fund director, has pledge data collected from congregations that have participated in the Large or Mid-Size Congregation Conferences within the past two years and will mail or fax it to interested people. She also recommends looking at the Suggested Share Giving guidelines included in the new canvass manual, "Fundraising with a Vision" available from the UUA Bookstore. She can also fax or mail a copy of the guidelines.