The chief responsibility of a Wikimedia chapter is to promote and
pursue Wikimedia interests specific to its country, and as a practical
matter often its entire region. This includes mobilizing local
members of the community, but also a multitude of other projects that
simply aren't within the scope of the Foundation.
The latest report of Wikimedia Serbia's activities came through my
inbox yesterday, and it's amazing how many unforeseeable things come
up. They handle them all, however, and so far quite well. The
eclecticism of an organization such as this makes it difficult to
define a specific scope here and now, but let me address your points
in particular:
"Fundraising" in a chapter context means several things:
* The solicitation of grants and sponsorships in chapters' respective countries
* The collection of money to maintain their organization and fund
their own initiatives
* Proxy solicitation on behalf of the Foundation, a tricky legal issue
Managing donations for the Wikimedia projects will always be the
purview of the Wikimedia Foundation.
It's true that one of the traditional roles of a local chapter,
liaising with local organizations and government entities, is a role
currently handled by the Foundation, and one an American chapter
needn't and perhaps shouldn't replace (or even become involved in).
It's not an all-or-nothing issue, however.
Local hosting isn't a chapter matter, except perhaps for facilitating
donations of hardware and/or rackspace. Currently, all such donations
are agreements with the Wikimedia Foundation itself, managed by the
Wikimedia server admin staff. This could change in the future, but
it's hardly the killer app for any chapter.
Austin