AJ you are right to raise this important question. And I liked your response about the can of worms too!
Sometimes I am envious of the depth of advocacy in the US. Right now I am not.
The point about "the use" of the database is a can of worms. So you will never make a decision by consensus. You must surely create a committee here with a Chair. They should have responsibility for how the data is used. Of course, there could also be regional committees which supply the the central database which have their own set of rules. If you create a network of data feeding ever upwards you have Christmas tree effect which should cater for everyone's needs.
This is not really my place to say it, but my perception of this is that you need to choose or even elect a committee asap before we lose impetus.
Carey seems enthusiastic about this - could she not Chair and work out a democratic way of choosing a committee. Someone needs to grab this and take charge.
Sorry to interfere.
Tom
PS I think this whole idea does link in with WPC very nicely. Let's get it up and running first.