Let me start by saying that I can see three key roles (and hope that you will comment on these or add other key roles):
- To make available to any and all researchers local information which is not and might never be available electronically/online
- To help find and support those who want to get started searching for their own family history and/or those who are stuck at brick walls
- To support and share with those who have the common interests of the genealogical community at heart