If a congregation is a constituent of the Union for Progressive Judaism, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and they don't employ their own Rabbi, then they need to have a relationship with another member of the Rabbinic Body, the 'Moetzah', and they are called their 'Consulting Rabbi'. They should be available to answer any status questions regarding potential members, conversions, divorce etc.
The Consulting Rabbi is expected to develop a relationship with the congregation over time by visiting at least annually to lead services and study activities etc over a weekend. This is paid for by the congregation. The Rabbi is also available for reasonable phone/Skype and/or email conversations and support to the Chair and Executive.
The mechanism is that the Moetzah discusses who is the consulting Rabbi where, which congregation needs one etc, when it meets six monthly. It then makes suggestions of matches to the congregations (which may be conveyed via the UPJ or through the Movement Rabbi).
The congregational Board then decides whether that suggestion will work for them. If so, they agree and it is a shidduch - if not, they say so, and we try to make a better match!
In other words, it is important to understand that the CR is not imposed on the congregation.
