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Motorcycle
Clubs
This page is
not the views of American Legion Riders but was written by a former MC President
that is now an American Legion Rider. There will be some reference
to the American Legion Riders in this page but it is the views of
the writer only and not the American Legion Riders.
If you ride a
motorcycle or motorcycles a a part of your life, then you are part of the motorcycle community
and the MC world, like it or not. The Motorcycle Club ranks above
all groups or types of organizations found within the motorcycle community.
They are at a higher standard that most all other motorcycle groups
and command respect. You will recognize the Motorcycle Clubs when
out in public or at biker functions due to fact that somewhere on
the back of their vest you will see MC.
Even though we as
American Legion Riders do not have a probate or prospect period, we
feel our members have paid their due's through service to this
country and have earned
the right to wear our patch. We also
share some of the same characteristics as an MC such as Respect,
Protocol of our own and chain of command, similar by-laws, but we are by no means an
MC nor do we abide by the practice of MC's.
For those of us who are informed we
recognize the dues that members of an MC have paid to earn the right
to be a member of an MC. We also share in the deep level of personal
commitment and self-discipline that a person has to demonstrate and
sustain in order to wear a patch. As does an MC most of us spend a
good portion of our life committed to the goals of the Legion and
American Legion Riders. We realize that a Club's Colors are closely
guarded and the membership process is long and difficult so keep in
mind, always show an MC and its members RESPECT, for what they
have accomplished by being able to earn and keep the patch they
wear.
The lesser educated in most cases
only see the surface of things but still can see the dedication and
the mutual support within the MC's and among the MC's. Most will see
or find out very fast that when you start something with a member of
an MC's you will soon find yourself in a situation with the entire
club.
They typically will travel in
numbers and work as a well oiled machine and altercation with one
ends in all confronting you. Fear is typically the method in earning
RESPECT and is used by MC's to obtain the respect they have earned.
I have often heard the uneducated use the word intimidation is the
method
chosen but I assure you most will not use intimidation because that
is often a bluff. They will in fact do as needed to assure their
place in the ranks and command your respect. From those who were not
members of an MC we did not have as much problem with lack of
knowledge or ignorance as we did for attitude. Attitude we had no
patients for nor did we tolerate.
The serious motorcycle club will
conduct itself publicly in a highly professional manner and will
police their own members in private. They will not go out of their
way looking for or causing trouble or to present themselves as an
intimidating force without being provoked. Typically we stayed to
ourselves even at public establishments but make no mistake if
somebody crossed into our world we had no problems educating them.
There are many lesser clubs whose
membership is made up of equally lesser individuals. Typically these
clubs will not be able to maintain a showing of strength and will
eventually lose all respect and most of these clubs do not survive
long. But the general public does know difference between club
colors,
patches, Associations. If one club causing problems within the
community it will often effect all clubs within that community. This
can also affect groups that are not an MC to include Associations
and even Motorcycle Ministries. As a result of this, within a given
community, motorcycle clubs will tend to police themselves.
Dominate Clubs:
There is also a natural hierarchy that is recognized between
motorcycle clubs themselves were as the strongest and most
established club will assume charge of the particular state or area
in which they ride. You will often here this club referred to as the
dominant club.
These dominate clubs will often select some of their prospects from
the best of other smaller clubs in the area.
Like it or not there is a need and reason the the dominant clubs to
take a leadership position and maintain control among all the groups
and clubs so that you, I and all the mom and pop riders out there
can enjoy the luxury of freely riding the roads of our great country
without being hassled.
Below are a few things the dominant clubs often control in your are
and like it or not it is often done to benefit the motorcycle
community as a whole.
1. A uthorize the
starting of new clubs within the
state or area
2.
Disband clubs that
are causing problems
3. Act as mediators
to resolve problems between existing clubs
4. S tep in and resolve
problems between feuding clubs if they are unable to resolve the
problem among themselves
5. Provide
communications and coordinate various club events
6. Request other
clubs within a state or area for support, if needed, to deal deal
with a threatening external force.
7. They are
often contacted by local law enforcement about problems in the
motorcycle community
I suggest
you read the
officers page
of the website so you will have a better understanding of the chain
of command among the MC's. It is advisable to understand both
protocol and the officer so as to not offend or disrespect a club
when approaching them and ask to speak to a particular person.
In a lot of
cases a patch holder may have been a member of a support group prior
to becoming a patch holder of the MC. If the MC does not have a
support group he would have been what they call a "Hang Around".
Hang arounds time will vary from group to group but typically will
be anywhere from 90 days to as long as year and even more. Often the group knew the person prior to them becoming a
hang around. This process is in place to determine if this person is
right for the club as well as allow this person to see if the club
is right for them. They will then prospect with the club for 1 to
2
years and even
some clubs
have an additional probate process that could be equally as long.
As you will
see from what I said above and what you will see below the MC patch
holder has earn the right to wear that patch and expects respect
from all those in the motorcycle community.
Rest assured
they are committed to their club and their brothers and put it
above, family, friends, job, belongings and their own well being. Nothing else in
the world comes before Club and brothers or sister including
themselves. As we all know in a day and time that divorce is rampant
that wives can come and go in our lives. People lose jobs all the
time and friends have turn their backs on me many times. But your
brothers will always be there because they have the commitment that
you have for the club and the brotherhood.
Prospects
and Probates will often be tested to determine if they should be
allowed to wear a clubs patch. Thier loyalty, commitment and
devotion to the club and thier brothers will be tested to determine
if they have what it takes and the attitude to wear the clubs
colors. They can and sometimes are required to do things you and I
may find degrading, childish or morally wrong but it is expected to
show the commitment to the club and it's brothers.
A patch
holder or forbidden to discuss things such as membership, personal
info about members or its officers, rides, movements and anything
pertaining to the club with anybody outside the club. This is
considered a security risk and can result in disciplinary action to
any who violate these rules. I myself have even been a victim of
this rule due to my own lack of knowledge. With a lot of clubs if
you are not a member of their club then you are considered an
outsider and a possible threat to the club.
To earn the right
to wear a clubs colors you will be expected to endure the bad times
when they happen as well as enjoy the benefits of a great
brotherhood and enjoying the good times. It takes a lot of hard work
and commitment to remain a member of a club. Once you have earn the
colors the hard work does not stop there. You always are striving
for ways that you can help your brothers and sisters but never
expect anything in return. Even though some of these clubs may fall
short of these goals it is their intent to accomplish this type
brotherhood for the betterment of the club.
In Summary:
Please read
the PROTOCOL page to also to learn more about Mc's but keep in mind
if you show respect you will get respect. If you chose to disrespect
you will often be educated and some times education can be painful
in and around the motorcycle community.
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