Now, let us start the revival attempt with a good raffle today.

I can suggest that you keep the raffle participants limited to only those who have been active in the local board in the last x number of months, you can decide how much to put in. I know many senior members are visiting this board because of a lot of reasons, myself included.
Merit leke kroge kya waise... Ek-ek karke saare merit wale hi behude nikal rhe hain... Sab aise hi time pass hai...
You have to learn how to adapt and not complain. The newbie members are at bigger need for merits in order to rank up.