Josh, I totally understand where you're coming from on this. I served in the same office you did for a year and then afterwards took the punishment to a new level as treasurer. You can only imagine how popular I was when I got our Accounts Receivable down to $0.
In the long run, I'm confident that the organization will be better for the sacrifices we make today. Even if our brothers aren't aware of what we're doing. I think going to your alums is a great idea though. In many cases, they can be the catalyst that gets a chapter back in line. My only other advice to you is to be patient. With your chapter's newfound social status, it might take a semester or two for everything else to fall into place. As long as your leadership (you and your successors) are aware of the situation and what must be done (your alums can help with this), you should be fine.
I could entertain you with so many stories about feeling unappreciated but later seeing the impact of what you've done... but in most cases, by sharing, I'd be being a bad Sigma Nu
In the long run, you'll be glad you never said to hell w/it.