In this feature we seek out answers to questions of broad interest, drawing on experts in congregations, the UUA, and elsewhere. If you would like to submit questions or respond to any of the questions below, please write to InterConnections at the address on Page 2 or e-mail dskinner@uua.org

Q. This is the first year for our small, but growing fellowship to have a social action committee. As chair of the committee, I would like some practical suggestions. How do you communicate with the congregation, choose which issues to get involved with, and motivate people?

Charlotte Rovelstad, UU Fellowship Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap, WA (57 members)

A. For a general introduction, avail yourself of the abundant tools, materials and guidance from the UUA Faith in Action office (617 742-2100 ext. 454), says Bob Hatfield, Lay Minister for Social Justice, UU Congregation of Fairfax, Oakton, VA (664). Every congregation is different, of course. Hatfield suggests absorbing the UUA material participating in the JUST-UUS e-mail list.

Committee members can pool their understandings of the interests of your members and professional leadership. Assess the needs in your area, remembering not to overlook the possibilities of interfaith alliances for social action projects. Then hold a church-wide forum to present your findings. In the final analysis, all members must feel they own the projects that are undertaken. Do not allow the congregation to defer this obligation of our faith to "that social action committee."

(This question was posed on the UU-LEADERS electronic discussion e-mail list.)

Q. We just found out we are supposed to withhold tax and Social Security on our ministerial intern and secretary. How do we do that?

A. First, each person fills out form W4 which determines how much should be withheld for income tax. The IRS will want to receive Form 941 each quarter with a check for that amount plus the FICA tax. Form 941 reports the names and Social Security numbers of the employees, plus how much is being deposited for income tax and FICA (Social Security).

(This is a question frequently asked of Ralph Mero, the UUA's Church Staff Finances director. He can be reached at 617 742-2100 x404).

Q. I am membership chair of a two-year-old lay-led congregation, and wonder if anyone could help with a problem. Many of us have put in a lot of volunteer time getting our congregation established and we are now experiencing some burnout.

Our committee of seven has lost several people in the past few months and others are feeling less committed. We need to find some new energy before the busy fall season begins. Does anyone have ideas that might apply?

Martha Wagner, Wy'east UU Congregation, Portland, OR (60)

A. "Burnout is a problem for every congregation I've ever known," writes Sally Bell, membership chair at Ellsworth UU Church, Ellsworth, ME (119). "I suggest that you consider a retreat for your committee as a way of recharging yourselves. If you plan the agenda carefully and have someone act as facilitator, you could find yourselves with a good plan for the coming year. Your district office might be able to help with ideas and a facilitator. As membership chair myself, I'd recommend tackling one problem at a time. When I became chair, we brainstormed what we wanted to do, then prioritized the list.

"To recruit more people, we held a committee fair after church one Sunday. Each committee came prepared with a display and coffee hour snacks. As members and friends wandered around choosing snacks, they had the opportunity to discuss different committees and what they did."

(This question was posed on the MEMB-L electronic discussion e-mail list).

Editor's note:

Some of the questions and answers on this page came from the electronic discussion groups sponsored by the UUA.