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If
your lifestyle is influenced by motorcycles, you are part of the
motorcycle community. Of all the types of organizations found within
that community, the motorcycle club stands apart and ranks highest in
stature. A serious M/C commands respect for one or both of two
reasons:
1. Those who are informed recognize the deep level of personal
commitment and self-discipline that a man has to demonstrate and
sustain in order to wear a patch, so much so that it is akin to being
a full time profession for the individual. They realize that a Club's
Colors are closely guarded and the membership process is long and
difficult. All else put aside, you have to respect the man for what he
has accomplished by being able to earn and keep the patch he wears.
2.
Those who are less informed see only the surface of things. They see
the vigilance of mutual support. The potential danger of invoking a
response from a well-organized unit that travels in numbers and are
always prepared for confrontation. They know that NO ONE CAN PROVOKE
ONE CLUB MEMBER WITHOUT HAVING TO ANSWER TO THE ENTIRE CLUB, and that
such an answer is a point of honor that must come to the last man. The
type of respect that this generates is one that is born out of fear.
The serious motorcycle club will conduct itself publicly in a highly
professional manner. They will not go out of their way to cause
trouble or to present themselves as an intimidating force without
purpose or provocation. Their respect is gained from both of the items
cited above. There are many lesser clubs whose membership is made up
of equally lesser individuals. These clubs, without a continual show
of strength, would have no respect at all. The majority of these types
of clubs are short lived, however, the general public does not draw a
distinction between different club colors. If one club causes a
problem that touches the public sector, the offending club's identity
is either confused or ignored, and heat comes down to suppress all
clubs. As a result of this, within a given community, motorcycle clubs
will tend to police themselves.
There is also a natural hierarchy that is recognized between
motorcycle clubs themselves. The strongest and most established club
will assume charge of the particular state in which they ride. This
dominant club will, for reasons that are beneficial to all, authorize
the establishment of new clubs within the state; will disband clubs
that cause continual problems; will act as mediators to resolve
problems between existing clubs; will step in and enforce their own
solution if the feuding clubs cannot come to terms on their own; will
provide communications links and coordinate intra club events; will
call on the clubs within a state for additional support, if needed,
when dealing with a threatening external force. It is also not
uncommon for the major club of an area to select some of their
prospects from the best of the ranks of the other clubs. In fact some
clubs have been established with this sole purpose in mind.
If
it were not for the major club of a state taking this leadership
position, clubs would not enjoy the luxury of putting their time and
resources to the benefit of their individual brotherhood, nor would we
enjoy the mobility and freedom of movement that comes with peace and
order.
Within the motorcycle club itself, officers are elected to the
traditional posts of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Sergeant at Arms, etc. In addition, you will find the less traditional
posts of Road Captain, Enforcer, and War Lord. The Road Captain is
responsible for the logistics of effectively moving the club from
point A to point B. The Enforcer answers only to the President and
sees that the President's orders are carried out. He will also be the
one who travels if a problem has to be addressed at a distance. The
War Lord is in charge of tactics and strategies in times of stress. In
some instances, he is also responsible for the club's security issues.
In most clubs, the positions of War Lord and Enforcer are combined and
may carry the name of either.
In
most cases, the patch holder was a "hang around" for the club for at
least a year. Before that, he was a long standing acquaintance and his
attitude and overall conduct was well known. He then prospected for
the club from one to two years before he was awarded his patch.
Of
all the things in this man's life, his loyalty and commitment to the
well being of his club comes first, above family, friends, job,
personnel possessions, and personal safety. There is NEVER, REPEAT
NEVER, any doubt or time spent on even considering which comes first.
The only thing that approaches his commitment to the club is his
commitment to his brothers. But even here, the interest of the club
always comes before that of the individual. He knows that his family
can walk out on him without a second's notice; he can lose his job
overnight, even for good; close friends come and go with time. But his
club and his brothers will always be there for him. It is one of the
few, if not the only thing, that can be counted on. He knows this
because he himself is committed to always being there for them.
To
be certain that this ethic and standard of attitude is carried by new
members, he participates in conditioning, educating, and at times
testing the club's prospects. The term prospect comes from
"prospective member." As such, before he allows another man to wear
his colors, as a symbol of their mutual commitment, he will feel
certain that the new member brings with him the same loyalty and
dedication that he himself displays.
He
has the attitude that there are two types of people in the world: his
brothers, and those who are a potential threat to the club. For this
reason he will not discuss club related business, membership numbers,
the club's movements, or personal information about his brothers with
anyone outside the club. Anything that could possibly be used by
anyone to piece together an informative picture of the club is a very
serious security issue.
Wearing a patch is more than getting together for good times. It is
also getting together in bad times. It constitutes a lot of work. It
is committing yourself to a lifestyle in which you do not look for how
your brothers might help you, but ways in which you can be of help to
your brothers. You always look to give, but never expect to receive.
Now all of this may sound very idealistic to you, and in some cases it
is just that. But, it is an ideal that all clubs profess and are
always striving to achieve in principle and practice.
In
closing, you should be aware of a "golden rule" of conduct that you
should bear in mind while traveling in club circles:
"If you give respect, you will get respect. If you act like an
asshole, you will be treated like an asshole."
This very important text has been gratefully borrowed from a MC with
much respect and brotherhood in mind. It was not put on this page to
copy from them. Instead, it is to help spread a message which is all
about loyalty, brotherhood and respect. |
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