Definitely talk to your new recruitment chair. Otherwise she may feel that you were a bad rusher last year, and shunt you to the back room for all of rush.
There's something to be said for primarily using "veteran" rushers during later rounds, especially pref. But that shouldn't mean that others get shunted aside. You could be paired with someone, or be a floater. Like you said, how can you become a better rusher unless you rush? It's like learning to drive a car, you can read about it all you want, but you will never be a good driver unless you actually get behind the wheel.
Does your sorority do informal rush? That would be a good way to practice rush and conversation skills with actual PNMs without the pressure of FR hanging over you. (I know that doesn't help you much right now, with FR coming up.)
Or you could practice with members of the rush committee, who can give you pointers.
Or you could join the rush committee - they pretty much have to be on the floor throughout.
Good luck
