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 a question, please write to InterConnections.

Q. We are dealing with a class that has a couple of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the teachers are having difficulty. Any ideas?

A. Jean Hackett, co-chair of religious education at First UU Church, San Antonio, TX (405 members), recommends the following: Provide an ADHD orientation as part of teacher training. Have an education expert in the congregation observe the class. Modify the curriculum to better suit the students. "Remember," she says, "people with ADHD focus on everything around them, so our students actually pay better attention to directions if they are doing something else with their eyes or hands.

"We try to include visual, kinesthetic, and musical approaches," she reports. "We use excerpts from videos and recordings. We bring lots of picture books related to the lessons to pass around when we have to provide instructions." Other suggestions: Let students play with modeling clay during explanations. Use a talking stick. Seat teachers next to troublesome children.

"Most importantly," she says, "we have gotten to know our students and what their talents and interests are. Turning around a class does not happen quickly. Still it can be done given the right group of teachers and good information on ADHD. After a year of trying different approaches, this has become one of the most enjoyable and innovative classes in our program. We've come to see these kids as capable of doing anything except sitting still for long periods of time."

Q. Our church bought enough copies of Singing the Living Tradition so each person attending a service can use the hymnal. Since we have made that purchase, do we have automatic permission to excerpt readings, hymns, etc. to print as inspirational messages in our newsletter that circulates to more than 300 people?

A. Unfortunately, purchase of the hymnal does not in and of itself confer permission to reprint texts, says Mary Benard, editor at the UUA's Skinner House Books. Anyone who wishes to reprint a reading or hymn should send a request in writing to Benard's assistant, Betsy Martin, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108; or e-mail betsymartin@uua.org. She may also be reached at (617) 948-4644 for questions.

Contact her at least a week before the permission is needed because, in some cases, the request must be redirected to the copyright holder, says Benard. The UUA does not hold copyright to everything in the hymnal. Where possible, Martin will provide contact information for the copyright holder. The request should specify the hymn or reading in question and whether permission is being sought for words or music or both (in the case of hymns), as the copyright may be different for each. The request should also indicate whether the reprinted text will be distributed at no charge or for a fee. Generally, if the UUA owns the copyright and the person or group seeking permission is distributing the text at no fee, permission will be granted for no fee.

Q. Our endowment committee needs guidance on how to make our local Unitarian Foundation more efficient in various aspects of supporting our church, including portfolio risk, investment management, and contingency funds. Where can we look within our Unitarian Universalist organization for help?

A. The UUA website has investment and endowment-related information at http://www.uua.org/cde/fundraising/.

You'll find the Association's Investment Committee Policy Guidelines and other investment related materials, says UUA Treasurer Jerry Gabert. For questions contact Nancy Gladyszak at ngladysz@uua.org.