I know I have been consciously shortening the name to The Council to avoid any claims of ageism, but The Council of Elders just sounds so much cooler. Below is the list of individuals I envisioned being the nucleus of the group in charge of selecting the 60 Volunteered. For convenience sake, I took over that responsibility for them in The Volunteered post and Bracket creation.

These individuals embody something special; they are as wise as their years. They are strong, and many have that “I’m old enough to not care about your feelings” about them, especially when it comes to important issues. Their collective knowledge, experience, and humility would be responsible for at least setting the stage and potential for national leadership, and I would feel very safe in their collective hands. They would also have the opportunity to participate in consulting with the newly elected leadership team, so their investment in the 60 individuals chosen continues beyond construction of The Bracket.

(Remember, these 24 individuals would also have the option of including their significant other and/or a +1 in the process, so this number is a baseline).

The Council of Elders

Responsible for the Tournament to Leaders Bracket

Gregg Popovich Tony Dungy C Vivian Stringer Geno Auriemma

Denzel Washington Oprah Winfrey Tom Hanks Martha Stewart

Warren Buffet Steve Ballmer Russel Simmons Sheila Johnson

Barack Obama Elizabeth Warren Michael Bloomberg Maxine Waters

Jerry Springer Eric Holder Diane Ravitch Freeman Hrabowski III
Bill Nye Claudia Goldin Morgan Freeman Ruth Bader Ginsburg