WHAT A BROTHERHOOD MOTORCYCLE CLUB IS (and is not) This
may take some time to read. So be it. Take the time to read it, as it
may save you some time in the future. Prior to joining a Motorcycle club
like the USMVMC, it is imperative that one understands the philosophy of
the traditional motorcycle club (MC), how it is organized, and what to
expect from membership in one. Each MC has many things in common with
others, but each is still distinct in its overall philosophy. Even
chapters within the same national organization, while subject to the
bylaws of that particular club, adopt their own policies and procedures
and develop their own collective personalities. This is not surprising,
given the fiercely independent nature of most motorcycle riders. If
Motorcycle riding is a significant part of your lifestyle, it is natural
that you would look at organizations that center their existence around
motorcycles, riding, and associated activities. There are however, many
types of motorcycle organizations. Being correctly informed can lead you
to the correct type and specific group that is right for you.
Within the motorcycling community are subcultures that
if entered into recklessly or with the wrong intention, can prove to be
detrimental to both the group and the individual. Regardless of what
type of club a rider is affiliated with, we are all part of the
motorcycle community. Members of the general public do not understand
the distinction between MCs, MAs, and RCs. In view of this, most
organizations tend to expect that their members act so as to bring
favorable credit upon the motorcycling community in general. Further,
almost all organizations expect of their members a certain level of
respect towards all other organizations and their members. The USMVMC is
no different.
Riding clubs (RC) are one type of group that appeals to
those that want to go on rides occasionally with a group, but do not
want a deep personal commitment to the other members or to the interests
or goals of the collective. Pay your dues (or buy the right brand of
bike), sign up online, and you're in. Decide that you don't want to be
in anymore, or sell that bike, and you go on with your life, and few
will miss you. Make a few friends, have a good time, learn a little
about riding and your machine, go on some group runs, maybe even have a
fundraiser or two. Ride with the group, have a good time. Examples of
these are the Goldwing Road Rider's Association, Shadow Riders, or HOG.
All good, respectable groups, all can be a lot of fun, all part of the
motorcycling community, but they different from the true MC in many
ways. These can be a good place for those "weekend warriors" that don't
want to adopt motorcycling or others who ride them as a pervasive part
of their lifestyle. Motorcycle associations (MA) are groups that center
on motorcycles as well, but have a specific purpose behind that
affiliation. Members do not necessarily have to be riders. Most, if not
all are very beneficial to the motorcycling community, and have a
considerable history. Many have accomplished a great deal to further the
interests of the motorcycling community. The American Motorcycle
Association, the Christian Motorcycle association, and Motorcycle
Associations with geographic, ethnic or specific motorcycle interests
such as the Southern California Motorcycle Association, the Latin
American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) or the Modified Motorcycle
Association are but a few examples of these. Membership is dependent on
different criteria within each association, but they are generally not
very exclusive. Their members are drawn together by a common interest
within the motorcycle world.
Motorcycle Clubs are the pinnacle of the motorcycle
community. They command respect for a number of reasons. While anyone
can thuggishly demand respect, only a true MC can command it through the
consistently mature and professional conduct of each of its members.
Members are chosen by the organization, and while many may be invited to
take a look, only a few will be asked to join. Members of traditional
MCs must demonstrate a level of personal commitment and self-discipline
uncommon in today's society. Motorcycle Clubs relate to other clubs
through mutual respect and protocols. They are proud of their
brotherhood, their colors and their club. Recognizing that an entire
club can be stigmatized by the inappropriate acts of a single individual
flying their colors, new members generally go through a probationary
period where they learn the protocols and expectations of the Motorcycle
Club community before they are awarded the full colors of that Club.
Individuals who lack respect for themselves, their brothers in the club,
and other members of the MC subculture will not find a place in any true
MC. A true MC demands that it's members portray to the general public a
positive image of their club and motorcyclists. To this end, full colors
are earned only when a probationary member demonstrates a firm grasp of
the behaviors expected of him. A true MC strives to be respected and
admired by the community rather than feared. The "golden rule" applies;
you have to give respect to get respect.
A disturbing trend is developing in the Motorcycling
community. Individuals not prepared to undergo the rigors of joining a
three-piece patch club or lacking the experience and expertise to gain
acceptance of a new club in a given area are attempting to circumvent
Motorcycle Club protocols by establishing so-called one-piece patch
clubs under the title of "blah-blah-blah-MC". The USMVMC prides itself
in observing all MC protocols, and extends respect to existing MCs by
respecting the accepted conventions and practices in the areas in which
we ride. We do not sanction or approve/disapprove the establishment of
any type of organization, but we do adhere to the standards of the MC
community in any area we desire to operate. Our neutrality and
non-territorial nature is above question, and we operate as an
independent, non-affiliated club at all times. It is our view that
organizations attempting to "fly under the radar" by organizing under a
one-piece patch while calling themselves an MC do a disservice to the
community and their members by showing disrespect to the MC community in
general. Either you are, or you're not. Part of being an MC is following
the protocols that extend and receive the respect that three-piece patch
clubs mutually accord one another. Within the confines of a given MC, a
common thread is Loyalty.
Before a probationary member (probate) is awarded his
colors, he must demonstrate his loyalty to his brothers. The strength of
the MC is the bond between men who are all looking to help his brothers.
Before a patch member can in all good conscience raise a hand in favor
of awarding a full patch to a probate he has to ask himself whether he
believes that that probate is truly living up to the standards expected.
Will he constantly look for ways to help his brothers and his club, or
is he in it for himself? It can be difficult to do, but each patchholder
must be able to say, "Nope, he hasn't got it just yet", and withhold his
vote. Probation is just that. It is not initiation, it is not a rite
conferred by some dark, secret ceremony. It's not beer bongs and toga
parties and silly, demeaning stunts like a college fraternity. It is a
period of time, however long, that gives the probate time to learn 'what
it takes'. It is a period of learning, paying attention, of education.
It is time where the habit of participating, trusting your brothers,
(often blindly) maintaining a good attitude, and getting acquainted with
the men with which he will one day become brothers. The list goes on.
Motorcyclists, by nature, are individualistic and hardheaded. Much like
learning to be a soldier in the Army, the individual must learn why he
should strive to be part of the institution and what forms that effort
should take.
Once the Patch is awarded, life does not get easier.
There is no coasting. Each member is expected to pull more than his
weight. As a member reaches higher levels of experience, his brothers
look to him to provide leadership. There are decisions to be made, other
clubs to relate to, causes to be fought and won. There are brothers to
be taken care of, charities to be funded, and a family to be kept safe.
There is always commitment to the club. There is always the expectation
that the individual will conduct himself in a manner that projects a
positive image to the Motorcycle Club community and the general public.
The USMVMC is a true three-piece patch Motorcycle Club. We are an
association of veterans, a Club of bikers, a band of brothers. We are
recognized and respected by other MCs both locally and nationally. We
support each other, and recognize that each member has family and
professional obligations, and expect that our members meet those
priorities in a mature and responsible manner. We have two common bonds;
first, we are Motorcyclists. Second, we have honorably served this
nation and stood in harm's way to defend her. We are not solely a
veteran's organization, such as the VFW (though many of us are life
members). We come to the plate knowing about such things as loyalty,
duty, and sacrifice. We learned these things in uniform. Here we find a
place to consistently encounter those things we value most when on
Active Duty- respect, camaraderie, unity, and brotherhood.
Bikers, Veterans, Brothers
For additional information on Motorcycle Clubs go to this link
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