stillajwexelder,
There have been a couple of power shifts in the last 30 years between the circuit overseers and the body of elders. Forty years ago, the circuit overseers simply made the recommendations. With the elder arrangement (introduced in 1971, implemented in 1972), the power briefly shifted. For a brief, heady time, the visiting circuit overseer was simply "another elder". That brief perestroika came with the research on the Aid book. After the Ray Franz DF-ing, things got hard and cold again.
I did a thread on this awhile back: "How the Circuit Overseer Manipulates the Body of Elders" http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/143449/1.ashx
Since you mentioned circuit overseers, I will site one of my major pet peeves. The "Flock" book and elder manuals before that always described elder meetings as having an "agenda". It was to be issued before the meeting so no one came in flat footed. Each elder could prayerfully, scripturally consider each point. Circuit Overseers violate this principle almost routinely ramrodding their personal, pet issues through. One circuit overseer wanted a perfectly good Kingdom Hall remodeled. He "worked" with select brothers in field service, orchestrated the remodel down to the cost and specifics. Knowing that the Presiding Overseer at the time would be resistant to change, he first orchestrated a change in that position. The new PO was a heavy player in the "quick-build" program. So the majority of the body walked into an elder's meeting not knowing they would leave with a new PO and a tremendous remodel project to fund. It was all orchestrated in advance. I made what was viewed as a rebellious comment at that meeting. I suggested we leave the Kingdom Hall "as is" and donate the money we would have spent to build a dozen "third world" Kingdom Halls. If looks could kill! LOL!
tms
