Not at all, though I'd hasten to distinguish conservative tradition
with Conservative (capital "C") Judaism.
    My somewhat tenuous understanding of Chasidism is that it is a
relatively recent (18th century) movement in eastern Europe with
mystical components (but not in the sense of the Kabala).  There tended
to be a charismatic leader in each sect, and generally the sects are
named by their town of origin--eg Lyubov, which I believe is now in the
Ukraine; Bobov.
    The world center of Lubovich chasidism is on Eastern Parkway in Crown
Heights, Brooklyn.  Their recently deceased charismatic leader was
Menachem Schneerson, who spent much of his days reportedly receiving
people who had traveled from around the world to ask him a question or
receive his blessing.
    About 15 years ago the Rebbe's motorcade, returning (as I recall) from
a visit to his wife's gravesite struck and killed a young black boy
named Gavin Cato.  This touched off several days of rioting between
blacks and jews, during which a young Chassidic man named Yankel
Rosenbaum was stabbed to death.  The mayor at that time (David Dinkins)
was widely perceived as tacitly endorsing the police department's
apparent softpedaling of the riot, and Dinkins lost most of his
political support among jews.  The blacks in the area (largely
West-Indian immigrants) weren't happy either--they thought the
Lubovitchers weilded too much political power, and were seen as immune
to prosecution--factors that certainly encouraged the rioting.
    The Lubovitchers are unique (to my knowledge) in that they
prostheletize--but as you say from within the religion.  Someone who is
returned "to the fold", as it were, is generally referred to as a
"balt'shuvah".
    Although most of the chasidim look pretty much the same to you (and
me)--men have long beards, wear black fedoras or fur stromel, sometimes
a long brocade coat and stockings looking like lederhosen, women with
wigs or covered head, arms always covered, no slacks--they differ pretty
fundamentally over some philosophies.  For instance, the Satmar who have
taken over large parts of Williamsburg Brooklyn are fierce
anti-Zionists, while I believe the Lubovitch are Zionist.  I remember
maybe 30 years ago that there was a riot in the streets of Borough Park
between various sects of chasidics, though they are generally not
regarded as violent.
    I have a few chasidic patients--they are generally very nice to me, but
have never actively tried to enlist me.

Steve