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Upcoming Luncheons
october 7
an exit planning exchange (XPX) panel discussion
Join us for an XPX Charlotte panel on growth, transitions, and legacy. Here Ann Marie Williams, Adam Petricoff, Michelle Fritsch, and Michael Stier, moderated by Charlotte Rotarian, Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden and bring your questions – They are ready to answer.
OCTOBER 14
THE UMBRELLA CENTER
INSIDE cHARLOTTE’S NEW FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
Safe Alliance’s Laura Lawrence and Pat’s Place’s Andrew Oliver share how their organizations are leading The Umbrella Center, a Family Justice Center uniting services for adult and child survivors under one roof.
OCTOBER 21
TRANSIT TAX REFERENDUM pANEL
A panel of experts, representing both sides, will debate Mecklenburg’s Transit Tax Referendum, a proposed one-cent sales tax increase funding a $25 billion, 30-year transportation plan for roads, rail, and buses.
october 28
mike causey, commissioner of insurance
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey shares his journey from farm life to public service, offering insights on insurance, safety, and protecting North Carolina families and businesses.
2024 First Responders Scholarship Luncheon
The Rotary Club of Charlotte’s 22nd Annual 9-11 Scholarship Fundraising Event will be held Friday, September 13th at Charlotte City Club, 121 W Trade St, 32nd Floor.
Following the events of 9-11, Charlotte Rotary committed to providing support through a scholarship fund for the children of the first responders who protect and serve our community. Since 2002 our club has awarded over 90 multi-year scholarships to families of Charlotte-Mecklenburg first responders!
This year, our goal is to raise $75,000, and you can help through sponsorships, general donations, and attending this year’s scholarship luncheon.
Celebrating MECK-DEC Day
The Rotary Club of Charlotte celebrated Meck-Dec Day, May 20th.
The citizens of Mecklenburg County declared their independence on May 20th 1775, a full year before the nation as a whole did. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was delivered to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia by Captain James Jack.
NEWS
Patrick Baker becomes
the 109th President of Charlotte Rotary
Since the Rotary Year runs from July 1 to June 30, a ceremony was held on July 15, 2025, to celebrate President Kim’s (Brattain) outstanding year and to install President Patrick (Baker) as the 109th President of Charlotte Rotary.
Born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Patrick W. Baker was raised in a proud Marine Corps family. His father, Charles Scott Baker, served as a career Marine, and his mother, Elizabeth Smith, was the steady, patient presence who held their close-knit family together. The youngest of four, Patrick was affectionately called the “Oops baby,” arriving more than a decade after his siblings. He grew up in Havelock, North Carolina, and graduated from Havelock High School in 1985.
Patrick earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University. After starting his legal career in Durham, he joined the City of Durham as an Assistant City Attorney in 1997 and went on to serve as City Manager from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, he became Durham’s City Attorney, a role he held until moving to Charlotte in 2019 to become City Attorney for the City of Charlotte.
A dedicated Rotarian since 2005, Patrick was a long-standing member of the Durham Rotary Club before joining the Rotary Club of Charlotte. He is passionate about Rotary’s mission and values, particularly the Four-Way Test, and is committed to fostering meaningful connections, promoting service, and cultivating an inclusive and engaged club culture.
Patrick has been married to Rae Ann O’Neill Baker since 1994, a relationship that began at the 1984 Sadie Hawkins dance. They have two children: Griffin, a professional baseball player, and Chloe Elizabeth, a museum professional and a graduate of Wake Forest University.
Patrick proudly dedicates his Rotary presidency to Colonel Ray O’Neill, USMC, a past president of the Rotary Club of Oxford and his late father-in-law, mentor, and lifelong example of service and integrity. He wears Ray’s Rotary President pin in his honor and leads with the same commitment to truth, service, and fellowship that has shaped his life and career.
Luncheons
Tuesday at the Fairfield Uptown
Charlotte Rotary meets most every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Charlotte Uptown 201 S. McDowell St. Charlotte, NC 28204
