This will require Visual Studio to create a package. In a Visual Studio
SharePoint project, you can add all the elements you need, including site
columns and list definitions, and deploy them as one feature (no dependencies
needed).
You can see my opinion, and that of others, as to how non-developers might
approach a problem like this here:
tech.groups.yahoo.com/.../40332
In short, unless you want to become a professional developer, it is wise to find
a qualified person or company to develop this for you. A simple feature for a
site column and list definition should not take more than a couple consultant
hours. Or you can have a go at it yourself if you have access to Visual Studio
2010.