Troy I am so sorry to hear about your account being hacked. I’m not sure how that happens with Steemit but I do know I have never been comfortable with giving anyone my personal keys. Any group that requires my posting key I have not joined because I am not comfortable with it. I hope there is a way where you can retrieve your earnings.
I do like your idea of just offering a lessor vote across the board and allowing people to give as their hearts desire. It is true that you can’t force anyone to give back. This way it will not drain the account as much so that funds will still continue to be built for the main purpose of this cause.