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 If our congregation should ever have a crisis involving the police and the news media and we feel that we need a UUA spokesperson to advise us, who should we call?
A Start by contacting your district executive, says John Hurley, the director of the UUA’s Office of Information and Public Witness. If you cannot reach that person, call Hurley at 617-948-6131 and e-mail him at jhurley@uua.org. He does check messages when he is out of the office, including on weekends.
Also, every congregation should have a designated official spokesperson for cases like this, whether the minister, board president, etc. And the congregation should be made aware that only certain people will speak on its behalf. Be sure also to keep a clear, concise, positive explanation of Unitarian Universalism on your Web site. That’s the first place the news media will go for information. Don’t put anything on your Web site you wouldn’t want to see in the newspaper.

Q I’ve volunteered to chair our parish communications committee. Where can I find resources?
A The Alban Institute has a book, Getting the Word Out: The Alban Guide to Church Communications, which is an excellent source for UU communications committees. It covers document formats, relationships with public media, photography, electronic communications, celebrating special events, and defining the audience you’re trying to reach. Published in 2003, the book, by Frederick H. Gonnerman, a Lutheran pastor and former director of public relations for a seminary, is available from the UUA Bookstore. #7172 $20, 800-215-9076.

Q Our congregation is so small that we’ve not been able to get enough people together to have successful programs in many areas. Is there anything we can do?
A Consider joining with neighboring UU congregations in areas such as youth programming (Coming of Age, OWL, and youth group events), says Dori Davenport, religious education consultant for the Central Midwest District. Other events might include social justice activities, potlucks, and book and movie discussions.

Q Do any congregations have a planned “path” for the board president after s/he has completed the term of service? Since that person has such a wealth of information and insight, we would like to institute some sort of position for our immediate past president, but obviously one that would not be as time-consuming as the presidency. Any suggestions?
A Some congregations encourage them to serve on the nominating committee. At another the past president becomes chair of the program council. A common path is to have them serve an additional year on the governing board either in an active or advisory position. At another congregation the president-elect, president, and past-president all serve on the board and, in addition, constitute the personnel committee. At another, all past presidents serve on the strategic planning committee, a group that meets occasionally to develop policies. And one administrator probably spoke for many others when she described the typical path for presidents at her congregation: “Our presidents pretty much go on sabbatical after their terms. They need a rest.”