N.C. volunteers to hear Obama speech CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 17 (UPI) -- North Carolina volunteers who put in 9 hours of work for the Obama campaign will get passes for his acceptance speech, Democratic leaders said. A campaign official told The Charlotte Observer the promise is to all volunteers who work at least three 3-hour shifts on tasks such as making phone calls and voter registration. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, the head of the campaign in the state, and other officials plan to release details this week. In 2008, Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver was used to build enthusiasm in Colorado, and the Democrats went on to carry the state. Obama also carried North Carolina, although he lost the rest of the south except for Virginia and Florida. This year's Democratic convention begins Sept. 4 in Charlotte. Obama is scheduled to speak Sept. 6 at Bank of America Stadium, which holds 76,000 people.