HI LDH: I brought this to the top because I felt it warranted some extra attention given that this is a core feature of the Watch Tower religion.
During my 27 years with the organization, I was openly of the anointed for about 20 years. I served as an Elder and MS, often being involved in Aux. Pioneering, Circuit parts and District Convention support. This, I hope places me in a position of providing a useful answer.
The 'official' role of the modern Anointed Remnant is that of the collective faithful and Discreet Slave Class feeding the Domestics their food at the proper time. The Domestics are understood to be fellow 'individual' Anointed who benefit from the work and care of the FDS collectively. The Great Crowd of Other Sheep also benefit, but are not of the Domestics [or Household of God]. The Governing Body is the 'Official' representative of the FDS assigned the lead role in developing and disseminating spiritual food at the proper time.
The average JW, even those in the organization a long time, have the impression that the local Anointed somehow get "insight" and share their increased understanding with the rest of the FDS through their Governing Body. This is especially the case when one of the 'Anointed' is a male in a position of congregational responsibility. It is a mistaken presumption and impression that average JWs hold.
Reality is that the average Anointed individual serving in a congregation is not called upon to contact the Society with any understandings or information they feel important. Only when one reaches some higher level of responsibility, such as Circuit or District work, or perhaps as a Convention Overseer, etc. where contact with Society representatives is frequently possible, might one be asked for an opinion or information on a matter. Usually the request for information is about logistical problems, and not about spiritual insight. Only in some infrequent cases might the Society ask certain well-known COs or DOs of the Anointed class about some spiritual matters. But, their being of the Anointed is not normally factored in.
Therefore, the entire premise of a FDS Class made up of a collective of Anointed who direct the Kingdom Work is a pure Fiction. It is a convenient fantasy laid upon the Rank and File JWs to keep them trusting in the organization's leadership.
Also, in reality, if one professes to be of the Anointed in a local congregation, that person, especially a male, is kept under scrutiny, and more so if that person is not an Elder and/or Pioneering. Even while I was an Elder, each new CO would bring a round of questions about how I was doing in the organization. My years of experience, serving as a trusted Elder, and frequent Public Speaker were not enough to cause the questions to subside.
On one occasion, while I was on a business trip, I visited a JW congregation during the Memorial. I quietly let the local Elders know that I was an Elder and of the Anointed, so they would not be surprised at my partaking during the meeting. The CO was visiting, and gave the Memorial talk. But, before the week was out, some locals got the previous CO involved and tried to prohibit my partaking at their Kingdom Hall. The new CO also joined in and questioned me to the point that the Elders in my Kingdom Hall on the other side of the country were called to confirm my being an Elder, Anointed, etc. The Service Dept. in New York was brought into it as well, and in this case, the Society backed me up and told the COs to leave me alone.
The comments that some made to your post reflect a continuing fantasy about how meek and humble they found the Anointed JWs to be. This is wishful ideal, and is a result of another impression that JWs have that those selected to be of the Anointed are somehow superior in personality. I have known some very nice Anointed individuals, and some whose personalities are quite crusty and at times obnoxious. One sister I knew who briefly met Charles Russell was an old crank. Humility was NOT her strong suit.
Also, unknown to many JWs, is that local Anointed JWs, some sisters, are privately reproved because they will attempt to flaunt their status in subtle and manipulative ways. Our congregation had to disfellowship a long time Pioneer sister of the Anointed, mostly because she was a pain in the neck. Her pride could not be tempered.
But the JWs in the Hall were convinced that she was the greatest lady on earth. But, when we would give talks as Elders, she would pull the Elders into the 'Back Room' and let them have it. She left me alone, I presume because I was both of the Anointed and an Elder. So, I would only hear of her antagonistic ways after the fact.
Today, I believe that the whole concept of an 'anointed class' is fiction. All Christians are children of God and equal in his sight. The Watch Tower class system is contrary to what the Bible teaches and is an insult to the concept of a loving God.
Hope this helps. - Simply Amazing