An RDF feed for forum would definitly make them aware of the GL\'s activeness.
Regarding the \"need to transition to a more professional image of Geeklog,\" we might first need to recruit those artistic people, who created really nice looking themes for themselves, and ask them to contribute one for GL. Such as WebBadass\'s platinum theme is outstanding. Another guy is that made www.chilaX.com.
Just a brainstorming. Maybe you already have an artistic one in the team. GL is very powerful, but need some external facade to match it.
Sam