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 at 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02108, or e-mail dskinner@uua.org.

Q. When I open the UUA Web site (www.uua.org) sometimes I get just part of an image. What's going on?

A. It's probably that your Internet browser has "cached" old images, says Deborah Weiner, director of the UUA's Office of Electronic Communications. Check the settings on your browser and if it has cached old images clear them out, hit reload and make sure your settings will support a full image. Still a problem? E-mail oec@uua.org.

Q. Our congregation would like to get involved in some social justice projects, but we're not sure where to start. Can you help?

A. Bea deMuinck Keizer, public information specialist at the UUA, recommends that congregations look at the list of social justice resolutions approved by delegates to our General Assemblies. All are listed at www.uua.org/actions. Also look at the UUA Washington office Web site for information about social issues, including ways to get involved: www.uua.org/uuawo. In addition, ask your members what their social justice passions are and build on that.

Q. In my congregation we seem to have difficulty inviting new people into leadership positions. The same people serve over and over again, getting burned out. We say we want to share the load with newer members, but somehow it never happens. There's also a perception that new people don't want to serve — that they're happy to have the older members do it. How can we do better?

A. Good management includes delegating authority and developing successors, says Janet Puistonen of the First Parish in Portland, ME (300 members). The first step in getting people into leadership is getting them onto committees. It has to be a gradual process. Once they are on committees and active, they can be asked to be vice chairs, with the understanding that after a specified term (one or two years, normally) they will become chair. And so on.

Have you explored why people are unwilling to serve? If you don't do it already, I'd suggest that you hold an annual leadership retreat, probably at the start of your church year, covering such issues as facilitating a meeting, filing reports, recruitment, etc. If training is available it may embolden some to take on leadership roles.

Q. We're struggling with how to tell newcomers about what amount is appropriate to pledge to the church. How do other congregations handle this?

A. The Rev. Richard Nugent, interim minister at the UU Congregation of Columbia, MD, has a conversation with those who wish to become members. It includes a discussion of the rights and responsibilities of membership including a discussion about finances. He specifically discusses the range of pledges in the congregation and the average pledge.

New members at Mt. Diablo UU Church, Walnut Creek, CA (370), are told that the church needs an average pledge of $1,300 to operate. "We emphasize that for some that is not possible, while for others it is much too low," says Sue Polgar, president. "We have come to the conclusion that newcomers, particularly those who have never belonged to a church, need some giving guidelines. That first pledge sets the level for subsequent years."