2010 sponsorship packet
According to popular legend, on May 20th, 1775,
more than two dozen colonial leaders from
Mecklenburg County approved and unanimously
adopted the Mecklenburg Declaration of
Independence, more commonly known as the
“MecDec” - the “first” Declaration of
Independence in America.
James Jack rode over 1100 miles to carry the
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence by
horseback to the Second Continental Congress in
Philadelphia in June of 1775. If he had been
captured by loyalists or British soldiers he would
have been hanged for treason – and in fact, he was
nearly arrested in Salisbury not long into his
journey.
You don’t have to ride 1100 miles on horseback
and deliver the MecDec to be an important part
of Charlotte history. By supporting The May 20
Society you’re keeping the Spirit of Mecklenburg
alive for Charlotte today and future generations.
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Capt. Jack stepped up to blaze a trail to freedom.
As part of our 2010 fundraising campaign, we’re
asking you to support The May 20 Society.
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Please review the enclosed sponsorship packet
and make 2020 the year you join, or rejoin the
revolution!
~ The May 20th Society
This original portrait of Captain Jack by artist Chas Fagan
shows Captain Jack riding north from the Courthouse
on Trade & Tryon to deliver the MecDec to the Congress.
CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
www.May20thSociety.org
in the community
The May 20th Society promotes Charlotte’s rich history of being the first to declare independence from
Great Britain in the American colonies. The May 20th Society is a non-profit organization that celebrates
the MecDec through hosting and sponsoring events, an annual speaker series featuring world renowned
historians, and educational outreach.
The May 20th Society supports historic and resource groups across the region and partners with a host of
talented colonial re-enactors for our events. Rosedale Plantation, the Charlotte History Museum, and
Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Libraries are just a few places we count as partners in bringing the story of
the MecDec to the community. The May 20th Society is involved with the following community projects:
Thanks to your generous support,
The May 20th Society is unveiling
“The Spirit of Mecklenburg” statue
of Capt. James Jack on the Little
Sugar Creek Greenway on May
20th, 2010.
Our annual speaker series has featured Doris Kearns Goodwin, Ken
Burns, David McCullough and Michael Beschloss.
CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
www.May20thSociety.org
Each year our featured speaker participates
in a lecture and discussion with CMS
schoolchildren in an effort to inspire them to
get excited about history, and embrace the
history of the city of Charlotte.
The May 20th Society hosts the annual MecDec noon observance
commemoration for the general public. This year will be the 235th
Celebration of the MecDec.
The May 20th Society
sponsored the planting
of the Liberty Tree in
Freedom Park.
CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
www.May20thSociety.org
2010 events
Cokie Roberts
May 20th, 2010
2010
The May 20th Society proudly presents Cokie Roberts,
an American Emmy Award-winning journalist and
bestselling author. Roberts will speak at our 5th
Annual CMS Student Speaker Series and Discussion
the morning of May 20th, 2010 to a group of 1,000
CMS middle and high school students with a 30
minute lecture and 30 minute question and answer
session on the morning of May 20th, 2010. The May
20th Society is committed to education and is actively
involved in outreach to the Charlotte community’s
young people.
Cokie Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News, providing analysis for all network news
programming. From 1996- 2002 she and Sam Donaldson co-anchored the weekly ABC interview program
This Week. Ms. Roberts also serves as Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio. In her more than
forty years in broadcasting, she has won countless awards, including three Emmys. She has been inducted
into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and was cited by the American Women in Radio and
Television as one of the fifty greatest women in the history of broadcasting.
In addition to her appearances on the airwaves, Ms. Roberts, along with her husband, Steven V. Roberts,
writes a weekly column syndicated in newspapers around the country by United Media. The Roberts are
also contributing editors to USA Weekend Magazine, and together they wrote From this Day Forward, an
account of their more than forty year marriage and other marriages in American history. The book
immediately went onto The New York Times Bestseller list, following Cokie Roberts’ number one
bestseller, We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters, an account of women’s roles and relationships throughout
American history. Ms. Roberts' histories of women in America’s founding era--Founding Mothers,
published in 2004 and Ladies of Liberty in 2008, also became instant bestsellers.
Cokie Roberts holds more than twenty honorary degrees, serves on the boards of several non-profit
institutions and on the President’s Commission on Service and Civic Participation. This year the Library of
Congress named her a “Living Legend,” one of the very few Americans to have attained that honor. She is
the mother of two and grandmother of six.
CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
www.May20thSociety.org
2010 events continued…
“The Spirit Of Mecklenburg”
Statue Unveiling
May 20th, 2010
2010
The May 20th Society produces an annual freefree-toto-thethe-public Noon Observance Commemoration.
Commemoration.
On May 20th, 2010, The May 20th Society will celebrate the unveiling of the Spirit of Mecklenburg Statue of
Captain James Jack.
Captain James Jack’s ride from Charlotte to Philadelphia in June 1775 delivered the message of patriotic
support for revolution. When news of the Battle of Lexington reached Charlotte, North Carolina on May
19, 1775, a local assembly of political leaders convened to declare their support for the cause which came to
be known as the American Revolution. Tradition says that on May 20, 1775 and on May 31, 1775 a
Declaration of Independence and a set of Resolves were adopted and expressed to the North Carolina
delegates at the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Captain James Jack, a
prominent member of the local militia was appointed and directed to deliver those documents. He left
Charlotte on June 3, 1775 on horseback from the Courthouse located at the intersection of Trade and
Tryon, near his father’s tavern. He returned in July 1775. The actions of the Mecklenburg Assembly were
deemed premature in June 1775. A year later, on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress issued the
Declaration of Independence.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Trail of History on Little Sugar Creek Greenway will consist of a series of
bronze statues that define the history of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area to the casual visitor, conventioneer,
school children, commercial prospects and media. “The Spirit of Mecklenburg” statue will be the
centerpiece of the Trail of History with casual seating and an overlook to Little Sugar Creek and a lower
creekside plaza. Flanked by trees all around, the fountain, at an estimated 70 feet wide, will be a major
attraction.
CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
www.May20thSociety.org
2 0 10 MecDec
MecDec Celebration Pledge
Pledge Form
________ Yes, I will join you in supporting the revival of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
commemoration and celebration of our community’s rebellious and freedom-loving spirit. Enclosed is a
contribution for:
_______ Spirit of Mecklenburg ($5,000)
_______ James Jack Sponsor ($1,000)
_______ Friend of The May 20th Society ($_________)
_______ I cannot make a financial donation, but I would like to offer the following in-kind donation(s) to
support the mission of The May 20th Society.
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tell us how you or your company should be listed as a sponsor:
Name of Contributor
Company
Address
Phone
E-mail Address
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Please make checks payable to “The May 20 Society” and reference “2010
“2010 Celebration
Celebration”
ration” in the memo.
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The May 20 Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All contributions to The May 20 Society are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
No goods or services were provided in exchange for your financial donation.
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CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
www.May20thSociety.org
The May 20th Society Board of Advisors and Directors
Board of Advisors Emeritus
Michael Beschloss, Inaugural MecDec Lecturer
David McCullough, Second Annual MecDec Lecturer
Ken Burns, Third Annual MecDec Lecturer
Doris Kearns Goodwin, Fourth Annual MecDec Lecturer
2010 Honorary Chairmen
Dr. Peter Gorman, Superintendent, CMS
Pam Syfert, Former Charlotte City Manager
H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler
Board of Directors
2010 Board of Advisors
Pierre Bader, Sonoma Restaurants Group
Jan Bolyston, Senior Vice President, Bank of America
Dumont Clarke, Mecklenburg County Commissioner
John Crosland, Jr., Chairman, Crosland, Inc.
Philip Dubois, Chancellor, UNCC
Anthony Foxx, Mayor of Charlotte
Hank Hankins, Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein
Parks Helms, Former Mecklenburg County Commissioner
John Lassiter, Former member, Charlotte City Council
Vi Lyles, The Lee Institute
Michael Marsicano, President, Foundation for the Carolinas
Pat McCrory, Former Charlotte Mayor
Ed McMahan, Former North Carolina House of Representatives
Bob Morgan, President, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
Pat Mumford, Director, Neighborhood & Economic Development,
City of Charlotte
Hon. Sue Myrick, Congresswoman, 9th District
Edwin Peacock III, Charlotte City Council
Jim Puckett, Former Mecklenburg County Commissioner
Ernie Reigel, Managing Partner, Moore & Van Allen
Jennifer Watson Roberts, Chairman, Mecklenburg County
Commission
Judge Chase Saunders, McNair Law Firm
Michael Smith, President, Charlotte Center City Partners
Allen Tate, Chairman & CEO, The Allen Tate Company
Michael Teden, Honorary British Consul
Richard Vinroot, Former Charlotte Mayor
Kurt Waldthausen, Honorary German Consul
Tony Zeiss, President, CPCC
CHAR2\11588The May 20th Society
P.O. Box 30335
Charlotte, North Carolina 28230
Louis Asbury
Richard Bange
Warren Cooksey
Larry Dagenhart
George Dewey
Mary Gaertner
Jane Johnson
Charles Jonas
Robert Krumbine
Julie Lentz
Eric Locher
Patrick Mumford
Burt Philips
Walter Price
Moira Quinn
Scott Syfert
Marty Viser
Frank Whitney
Hunter Widener
Lauri Wilks
Whit Wilks
www.May20thSociety.org