Folks are speaking out on Why FHISO?

From a collection of the questions/comments and input on Why FHISO?, via e-mail and around the web, some questions and brief remarks follow.

Note: The organizers have invested much time these various topics. There is probably nothing we would like better than to dialog and receive input at length about each.

Why FHISO v01-04

1. Identify the FHISO board and organizing volunteers

FHISO was incorporated earlier this year as an Arizona non-profit. The standing organizational board consists of three directors. These directors are Robert Burkhead (USA); Geir Thorud (Norway); Andrew Hatchett (USA). Robert and Geir have standards backgrounds (Robert, HL7; Geir, ISO). While there are many supporters in the community at large, a group of six other volunteers are actively engaged in the day to day organizing work. These six are: Greg Lamberson (Egypt); Tony Proctor (Ireland and UK); Neil Parker (Canada); Roger Moffat (USA); Brett McPhee (Australia); GeneJ (USA). All the board members and other volunteers are genealogists.

Together with other supporters, the organizers are communicating about FHISO, often one on one, with leaders around the globe–generally vendors, service providers, genealogical organizations, technologists and standards professionals from within the community.

We hope all genealogists will join in the effort to engage these leaders. We need you. Please let us know how we can help. fhiso@fhiso.org

Once there is broad-based backing for governance from the community, and leadership is in agreement about board members and governance specifics, then an organizational meeting will be held and a first board will be installed. Once the first board is in place, many/most of the current organizers will become ordinary members of FHISO. From that point forward, leadership will be elected by the membership in a democratic process.

2. I hope you are serious about extending the standards concept to include cultures around the world.

We are. Indeed, it is an important part of the mission. Thank you for providing us the opportunity to underscore the importance of engaging users and innovators everywhere in the standards developing process!

3. Explain what is meant by “consensus refers not to unanimity, but to general agreement among stakeholders after thoughtful collaboration has addressed material objections.” It sounds entirely too vague.

While it may sound vague to some of us, it is common in the standards developing world.

In the standards process, anyone with an interest may participate, and they may also object. When someone objects, the rationale for the objection is documented so that others with an interest in the work have the opportunity to fix the problem/overcome the objection. Votes can be taken (super majority). There is also a separate appeals process.

The option to vote and separate appeals process help keep the project work from becoming bogged down without fear that any objection has been brushed aside.

While greatly simplified here, the objective is to develop inclusive standards in a speedy process. Anyone should be able to look in the rear view mirror and understand who did the work, what was considered, why decisions were made, etc.

4. Prospects of and desirability of interfacing with FamilySearch

We are a diverse community. Among leaders and the community itself, there are different notions about the importance of standards and standards developing organizations and even how they should be governed.

As some know, the need for FHISO was first expressed from within FamilySearch. Their participation is very desired, but FamilySearch is not yet in general agreement with the concept of a community owned and community governed standards organization intended to serve all of us.

Links to some of the discussions about Why FHISO? follow:
http://fhiso.org/2012/07/why-fhiso/
http://www.geneamusings.com/2012/07/why-fhiso-indeed.html
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/07/family-history-information-standards-organisation-asks-for-comments.html

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