I can tell you why at least one elder remains in. It is because of the mathematics surrounding 1914. Although people can say, "oh Jerusalem didn't fall in 607 BCE." It doesn't dent the WTBS' mathematics. It just means who do you trust for your staring date and scripture interpretation? This bunch of people and their ideas or that bunch of people and their ideas?
Well whatever, WWI started in 1914. So it seems like a good bet for some. In particular this one elder, I am thinking of.
I suspect that other elders are like this too. I tried very hard to get two ex-maths teachers to examine the scriptures to see that the 3rd year of Jehoiakim's rulership was... the 3rd year of Jehoiakim's rulership. But nope, they wouldn't open the Bible and read Dan 1:1.
I think one of those ex-maths teachers (an elder, who is a dealer), had carefully examined the scriptures and maths. I say this because he tried to trip me up by saying I could not be certain the 3rd year was the 3rd year because of the question over another king's reign. I think he said Jehoahaz (or Jehoash - can't remember). But whatever he said, I was ready to go through it step-by-step with him but he refused.
The fact he mentioned Jehoahaz (or Jehoash) told me he knew something deep because there is an issue to do with one king that is difficult to iron out. BUT it was irrelevant to the scriptures and maths I was wanting to show him.
My confidence before him put him on the back foot. I only needed to get him to look at 7 scriptures and his mind would do the rest. He knew me well enough to know I wouldn't be that confident if I hadn't done diligent research. I wonder if he was frightened of seeing the arithmetic on which he had established his life fall. So instead of going though the 7 simple scriptures with me, he got out 2 bronze age spears and some old pears and tried to distract me. Told me they were delicious cooked in red wine (the pears not the spears). Apparently they came from the time of Nebuchadnezzar (the spears not the pears).
Say you've got some good ideas for new headship arrangements.
Anyway hope you can use what I've said to draw up a blue-print for your very own tank.