使用另一个控制器的布局

I have a model which has many associations. In the layout for this controller I have several submenus where I want to display objects from those associations. But how can I use this layout inside those objects? -i.e. There is no visibility for the other objects inside those controllers and therefore I keep getting the error "You have a nil object...." How can I use the layout inside the associated objects/persist the values of other instance variables inside those objects so that I can use the same layout inside all the submenus?I have a model which has many associations. In