Re: Default trust is the most important metric here in my opinion.
Perhaps it is time to use a more accurate name for the system. The alternative is to remove oneself from the rankings, but this seems to be counter productive for every one concerned.
What's wrong with merely stating that you fulfill the requirements for being chosen as one of the council of DT1's? The nature of the requirement by itself shows that you are trusted by multiple meritorious individuals. One could associate that with being trusted by various accounts of reputable status, though this is up for debate. 
FWIW I hardly look at trust anymore and pass most things through escrow. Why even think about it?