Stake Internet Use Policy

[dkcook2-p40]

Attached are updated versions.....thanks, Dave

[russellhltn]

In the case of the Admin policy, I'm unclear as to who is being designated to be monitoring usage. "Melchizedek Priesthood leaders" is very broad. Broad enough that everyone will think it's someone else's job to do that. The one for the FHC is fine since I read that as saying that the staff who there is to keep an eye on things.

For the FHC policy, I see one place where it says "family history center director (consultant)" and another "family history consultant (director)". I don't understand what that's about.

[dkcook2-p40]

In the case of the Admin policy, I'm unclear as to who is being designated to be monitoring usage. "Melchizedek Priesthood leaders" is very broad. Broad enough that everyone will think it's someone else's job to do that. The one for the FHC is fine since I read that as saying that the staff who there is to keep an eye on things.

The intent here was bishoprics in the case of the clerks and EQ presidencies and HP Group leaders in the case of their secretaries who may use the computer to update home teaching. Do you think it should just read bishoprics?

For the FHC policy, I see one place where it says "family history center director (consultant)" and another "family history consultant (director)". I don't understand what that's about.

We have two small family history centers in our stake and currently there is not a called "stake family history director." As such, the "ward family history consultants" will be responsible for directing these centers during open hours. As for the grammar, I will make them parallel. In the future if demand on the center goes up we plan on calling a director and wanted to account for that future possibility. Good feedback. thanks for your help.

[russellhltn]

The intent here was bishoprics in the case of the clerks and EQ presidencies and HP Group leaders in the case of their secretaries who may use the computer to update home teaching. Do you think it should just read bishoprics?

I'm not sure what to suggest, just narrowing the focus so that someone feels responsible instead of diffusing responsibility to the point that no one is really responsible. Unlike the FHC computers, they may be used when the person is alone. So you may need to provide some tips or instruction outside of these guidelines on how to accomplish this.

We have two small family history centers in our stake and currently there is not a called "stake family history director." As such, the "ward family history consultants" will be responsible for directing these centers during open hours. As for the grammar, I will make them parallel. In the future if demand on the center goes up we plan on calling a director and wanted to account for that future possibility.

Hmmm, I didn't know director was an optional calling. Are these "real" FHCs blessed on high from the Family History Department and listed under FamilySearch.org > Library > Family History Center? Or are they a room that the stake has set up and called them a FHC? If it's the latter, I wouldn't recommend calling them a FHC because they lack some of the rights and privileges that a real one has. It's ultimately going to lead to confusion. I call them "Family History workrooms", but that's just my name for them.

Either way, you may want to leave the language as "director" and appoint one FH consultant as "acting director". Because if any consultant is able to approve things, then you'll end up with chaos.

[dkcook2-p40]

I'm not sure what to suggest, just narrowing the focus so that someone feels responsible instead of diffusing responsibility to the point that no one is really responsible. Unlike the FHC computers, they may be used when the person is alone. So you may need to provide some tips or instruction outside of these guidelines on how to accomplish this.

Maybe I'll just put Bishopric.

Are these "real" FHCs blessed on high from the Family History Department and listed under FamilySearch.org > Library > Family History Center? Or are they a room that the stake has set up and called them a FHC? If it's the latter, I wouldn't recommend calling them a FHC because they lack some of the rights and privileges that a real one has. It's ultimately going to lead to confusion. I call them "Family History workrooms", but that's just my name for them..

You are correct these are "Family History Workrooms." One of the rooms has 7 computers and the other has 3. Other than the filtered internet access there is not much else in these rooms. This is probably a question for another thread but what does it take to be a "Family History Center?" Is is something we should have on the radar?

[russellhltn]

This is probably a question for another thread but what does it take to be a "Family History Center?" Is is something we should have on the radar?

I'm not sure. I do know that they indicated that the church was no longer creating centers in the US and trying to focus more attention in other countries. Given your location, I don't think I'd bother. Unless you can present a serious hardship case, the request is likely DOA. (The old guidelines was more than 30 minutes travel time.) You might want to look and see what FHC your stake falls under. It may be a multi-regional.

[jdlessley]

[W]hat does it take to be a "Family History Center?" Is i[t] something we should have on the radar?

The first place to look is in the Church Handbook of Instructions (CHI), Book 2, pp 268-269. Other references for family history centers are the Administrative Guide for Family History Centers(TM)(2002)[04397] and the Family History Center(TM)Operations Guide(2006)[34051]. The CHI will give the guidelines for creating a FHC. The other two references give detailed operations guidelines for a FHC.

In communicating with FamilySearch Support I have heard support technicians discuss two types of FHCs. Those that have unit numbers are referred to as being official. Those without unit numbers are referred to as unofficial. I have not seen documentation that mentions unofficial FHCs. What name an unofficial center is called is probably up to the stake president.

[Mikerowaved]

In communicating with FamilySearch Support I have heard support technicians discuss two types of FHCs. Those that have unit numbers are referred to as being official. Those without unit numbers are referred to as unofficial. I have not seen documentation that mentions unofficial FHCs. What name an unofficial center is called is probably up to the stake president.

Ours is "unofficial" and it has the name of "Family History Library". Sorry, I don't know where that name came from, or even if it's used elsewhere.

[russellhltn]

Ours is "unofficial" and it has the name of "Family History Library". Sorry, I don't know where that name came from, or even if it's used elsewhere.

Oh, just one other place - and using that name in SLC could cause some confusion. :p

[dkcook2-p40]

Here is the updated versions based on the conversation in this thread.

thanks for your help.....Dave