You make some good points.
I say to all of our members that a big part of populating the US server is a direct result of building relationships with both XI and non XI members. So @@Texas made a good point in suggesting that we get non XI members join the website. People (Xi and non XI) join the server when they see people they know are already in there. When you do play on the server, feel free to talk about XI and invite people to look at the website. I'm not suggesting to sound like a TV evangelist, but just let them know that they are welcome. That's all some people need to know. New people aren't sure if this is a closed group, or they might be shy. Get them on your friends list. If you see a cool dude playing and you don't want to ask him/her to be your friend for whatever reason, may be just send them a friend request. They may just accept and then we have one more person likely to to play when you are. Getting people to play and making them feel welcome is not the sole domain of the admins. It is open to all members.