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. We're thinking about changing how we address absentee and/or proxy voting rights in our bylaws. How do other congregations handle absentee and proxy voting policies?

A. Some congregations permit absentee voting, considering it an appropriate way to involve people who may be incapacitated or unavoidably away. Others believe those who vote need to be present to hear the discussion on an issue.

Northwest UU Church, Atlanta, Ga. (200), permits absentee ballots. They need to be sealed, have the member's name on the envelope, and be delivered to the secretary at least three days prior to the congregational meeting, says Jacalyn Baker, former board member. Those who vote absentee are also included as part of the quorom needed at that meeting.

First Unitarian of Louisville, Ky. (270), does not permit absentee voting except by those with physical infirmities, says member Jo Ann Dale. The president and secretary of the board must attest to the infirmity. A person holding a proxy may only vote that proxy on matters named in the call of the meeting. No individual may vote more than one proxy at any meeting.

The UU Fellowship of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, Calif. (271), does not permit proxies. "We felt it was in the board's best interest to encourage people to come to the meetings, listen and ask questions," said Mary Wolfe, membership chair.

John Levine of First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, N.Y. (556), cautions, "If your church is incorporated as a religious or nonprofit corporation, check to see what your state law says about voting rules. I discovered that here in New York, state law requires that in incorporated UU churches all votes must be in person."

Q. We'd like to be better about contributing to social justice causes, but we don't have much of a history of doing that. How do we start?

A. One example would be First Universalist Church, Yarmouth, Maine (215 members). The congregation established an "Outreach Endowment Fund" a year ago to be used only for outreach and social justice purposes. The congregation is developing one other source of funds as well. Each year it takes in about $16,000 in non-annual canvass fundraisers annually. It has recently begun dedicating a fourth of that to outreach and hopes to raise that percent in coming years.

"The program is new so I can't say a lot about its impact yet," says Dick Woodbury. "However, the absence of any significant engagement in outreach at our church has been a major critique made by our membership in the past. My personal view is that this will be an increasingly important aspect of what brings us together as a community. We will have a purpose that extends beyond our own personal spiritual journeys in life and faith."

Q. Our social justice committee would like to work on the social action issues adopted at General Assembly. How can we find out what they are?

A. Go to the UUA's Commission on Social Witness webpage for a full report on the Study/Action Issues, Actions of Immediate Witness, and Statements of Conscience approved at General Assembly. The same site will also have resource guides on how to address some of these issues in your congregation.