@ned and friends - there is that saying that you cannot please all of the people all of the time. No matter what you do, there will be a group of people who will complain.
The problem that I see with having councils is a select few will have a more powerful voice and growing influence.
I would instead propose having PAID moderators. Perhaps there's a way to have these people sign in under a user name which is associated to a @null account while they're on the clock, that way they can be perceived as unbiased.
Create a steem.chat channel where they would moderate as well and be the first line of defense against SPAM notices, disputes, or newbie questions. Put that link in a prominent space within the header!
Pay their active username in SBD or STEEM or a mix. Have an application process so you have a link to their body of work to review how they comment and respond to people. This gives you insight into how community-oriented they are because if you don't open the hiring pool to everyone you risk being accused of cronyism.
Once paid moderators are off the clock, they can sign into their active username and engage in the community like normal, but when they're working, they need to have guidelines and principles - a set job description.
This is something STEEMIT can do and not lay all the responsibility on the whales.
And honestly, to hire curators might be a good idea as well! It allows them to delegate while they are freed up to pursue their own creative passions.
I've previously read @stellabelle's frustration at how whales are often sought because they're not seen as people anymore - but dollar signs. That's pretty sad. So if "humanizing" whales means you're on mahogany row delegating "troops" for the greater good, then go for it. Every business that I know of has some kind of hierarchy. It sets boundaries - which is a good thing.
The bottom line is: you're going to have a steady flow of minnows so there will always be a learning curve within the platform. Have people in place who are responsible for mentoring them. I'm sure there are a few whales here that started off as minnows. Why should the burden be entirely on them? That doesn't sound fair either.
I dunno about the solution but I loved your comment and the attitude. we need more of this!
Whales are not gods.