I like your ideas OP. I've been struggling with the same dilemma. Most of us want to take a pre expansion break but we don't want to return to find the house gone.

Don't know if you are aware though, that FC lead passing goes to the next highest ranked player, and the most active of those. So if you set up your ranks in relation to that, you have no fear of lead dropping to a random newer member. One of our commanders says she'll not be taking a break so I at least have peace of mind that leadership can pass to her if need be.