Motorcycle Club "M/C" Protocol
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2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3)For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war
according to the flesh. 4) For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling
down strongholds 5) casting down imaginations and
every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge
of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ.
Some things to consider as an END TIME WARRIOR when around MC’s
1) Patch holders are people too. They have good and bad days, they have jobs, families, and normal everyday
problems and concerns just like everyone else. There are those who no matter what you say or do, it will not be right with
them. Just like with any group, you will find good and bad.
2) Protocol and respect are primary rules when dealing with a motorcycle club patch holder. If you are FORMALLY
introduced to a patch holder, make sure either the person doing the introduction (or you) make sure they know what club
you belong to, if you are an officer, and what position you hold. Under no circumstances do you interrupt to correct a
mistake while that person is introducing you or while they are talking. Wait until the introduction is done and politely
introduce yourself correctly.
(Joe Rider, member title, End Time Warriors.)
“Use your name- not your nickname. Nicknames may come later.”
3) Greet them as you would meet anyone else and wait until an offer is made to shake hands. DO NOT interrupt, wait
for them to recognize you. DO NOT be offended or make a big deal if they do not offer to shake your hand. Many times
they want to get to know about you and your club better before they will offer to shake your hand.
4) Never, ever lie. You can refuse to answer a question in a polite manner by saying something like, “That seems like
club business, and I would like to refer that one to one of our officers in order to get better information for you.” Be
prepared to answer questions about what your club is about. Such as….
A) We are an organized club and a Ministry.
B) The patch is earned by becoming a born again Christian and living the lifestyle required by God and by the End
Time Warriors.
C) There are monthly and yearly dues.
D) All makes and models of motorcycle are welcomed.
E) We are non-territorial.
F) We are a neutral group and do not wear MC support patches for 1% clubs.
G) Women riders are welcome and allowed to hold offices and titles.
H) We are an independent Ministry.
I) Offer the web sites or refer them to a chapter officer.
J) Do not brag about how large the local or national membership is.
K) Do Not VOLUNTEER ministry info. If they ask a question about the local chapter answer if you can. If they start
asking questions about the number of members, or the National chain of organization refer them to one of the ministry
officers.
5) Women in leadership positions or being a patch holder in motorcycle clubs, while not totally unheard of, are very
rare. That’s just the way it is. Most motorcycle clubs would rather deal with a man if there is business to conduct. Most
realize what a Ministry group is about and will for the most part accept a woman as an officer, and a woman officer will
most likely be allowed to attend any meeting. Whether or not they will deal directly with a woman officer depends on the
individual motorcycle club/chapter. There is no set rule for this and they will let you know if it’s ok with them or not.
Many motorcycle clubs do not care to deal with National officers. They would prefer to deal with the local or state
representatives.
6) If anyone knows a patch holder, don’t let him/her throw the patch holders’ name/nickname/club’s name around like
you’re a great buddy of theirs (even if you are). Many clubs consider that as a major disrespect to the whole club.
7) Watch where you are when speaking about them, and never say anything about them in public because you never
know when that woman, man, or kid in regular clothes standing near you might be one of them, or a “support member.”
Patch holders do not always wear their colors. By the time the story gets back to the top club in your area, it will have been
changed many times over and could be blown way out of proportion, thus bringing grief to the ETW Ministry.
8) Anything said about them between club members is club business ONLY. If comments, even those said in a joking
manor get out, problems could start. Discussion outside the privacy of the chapter can start rumors which could cause a
lot of problems for not only the chapter, but also for other chapters in and out of the state.
9) If for some reason you have to say something while in public about a motorcycle club, take the person you’re
talking to aside, alone, and say ONLY what you need to say to get your meaning across. Say as little as possible so anyone
else can’t overhear it and misunderstand what your talking about.
10) Watch where you wear your patch (Ministries don’t wear colors, colors are earned, not bought) and it’s just
common sense to stay in numbers when wearing the patch. (Some motorcycle clubs can be very territorial and some clubs
don’t see any difference between a Ministry and MOTORCYCLE CLUB, good or bad.) If you’re unsure of the areas or
places normally frequented by motorcycle clubs, find out from your Ministry officers. If you plan on traveling and are
concerned about what the situation may be in regard to the relationship with the local motorcycle clubs in the areas you’ll
be traveling through or staying in, talk to your local officer and ask if they can find something out by contacting the
officers in the areas you will be in.
11) “SHOW THEM RESPECT.” That’s A#1 with them! (And worth repeating.)
12) If you already know a patch holder, or get to know one in the future, don’t just walk up to him/her and interrupt
when they’re with other members. Wait until he/she acknowledges you first and NEVER touch them or put your arm
around them like a buddy. Don’t put your hand out to shake theirs; wait for them to extend their hand first. If for some
reason you’re not acknowledged at all, then just keep walking. If you need to talk to an officer of a Motorcycle Club the
proper way is to go through the Sgt at Arms or one of the patch holders.
13) You have to decide whether or not you want to show respect by going to any of their functions or if you want to
avoid them altogether. If you do choose to show respect and go, you can do this in a way that may make you feel more at
ease by going to one of their “support” functions instead of the top clubs function (if they have a support patch then your
still indirectly showing the top club respect). But if you do go, then you’ll have to go to their rival clubs function or you’ll
be telling everyone that your not a “NEUTRAL” club as you said you were.
(Example: If you go to club A’s function, then YOU HAVE TO GO to club B’s
function, etc…) You have to decide how you want to stay neutral, by going or not
going and you have to let all the other area chapters if your going too, so they’re
not in the dark and we can ALL stay on top of things.
• *****NOTE***** A better way to support them and still give the appearance of
being a neutral Ministry is to attend only “open to the public” events that a motorcycle club may be sponsoring. Remember,
if you’re wearing your ETW patch, your considered by everyone to be representing your whole Ministry. If anything were
to turn sour, then your whole group could wind up with problems down the road. Also, once the rivals of that club find out
(and they will in a day or two), then those rivals will see you as no longer being neutral and you could be considered a rival
of theirs too.
14) No CLB’s (Chapter Location Bars), any territory rockers or anything giving the appearance of a rocker should be
worn with the Ministry patch. State flags or state logos may be worn in some areas and not in others. It’s best to check
with the local Ministry officers to make sure what is ok in your area.
15) If someone from a motorcycle club requests that you remove your patch, don’t argue. The best reply is, “No
problem” and politely take it off and let your Chapter or Ministry officer know what motorcycle club it was so they can
deal with any potential problems. You normally will only get asked once.
16) If an establishment has a sign indicating “NO COLORS” even though your patch is not considered colors, the vest
should be removed out of respect to the other clubs and the policy of the establishment. While you may be a Ministry, it’s
only respectful to honor the house rules. Motorcycle clubs that honored the house rules would probably be deeply offended
that you didn’t. Also remember many establishments choose to have this policy and it applies to all clubs that use any kind
of patch; they do not distinguish between a MC and a Ministry. Be aware of the local motorcycle club hangouts and its best
not to wear the MM patch into them without an invitation.
17) Do not wear your patch into a motorcycle club clubhouse unless you have asked if it’s ok to do so, or have been
invited for a “sit down” with the officers of that club.
18) In regard to women who are with a motorcycle club, but not in the club: Old Lady is not a negative or derogatory
term; it’s just a slang term commonly used. “Property Of” patches are their way of showing support for their man and the
club he’s in.
19) A patch holder may not, and many times will not, acknowledge your wife or girlfriend, especially upon a first
meeting.
20) DO NOT touch or sit on a patch holder’s bike unless invited to do so. Do not expect an invitation.
21) A prospect can usually be identified by the back patch they are wearing. There are many different ways
motorcycle clubs identify prospects. They can have the rockers without the main patch. They can have a patch actually
saying “PROSPECT”. Some do not wear any patch, because all the patch holders know who the prospects are. You want
to treat a prospect, or anyone you suspect is a prospect the same way you would a patch holder- with respect and courtesy.
22) Have absolutely no doubt that a motorcycle club is serious and many have been known to physically educate a
person who shows disrespect or displays a bad attitude.
23) Be aware of the behavior and attitude of the other Ministry members who are with you (especially if anyone has
been drinking) at events. If necessary, try to take action to avoid problems before they happen. For example, if someone
appears to be getting too angry or loud, and possibly disrespectful, take them aside or suggest going somewhere else until
things settle down. You could also let one of the officers of the club know about the situation. If an incident should occur
in spite of your efforts when no officers are present, make sure you let your officers know as soon afterward as you can.
If no club officers happen to be there, then ALL of the ETW members that are there need to make the attempt to take that
person aside, and strongly suggest that the offending ETW member go somewhere else to settle down.
24) Be aware that problems created in one part of the country by an ETW member or issues with the ETW in one area
have the potential to effect ETW members in other areas and states.
25) The term Brother or Bro has special meaning to a patch holder, do not call a patch holder Brother or Bro. Their
Brothers are fellow patch holders and others that have earned that term.
26) Do not touch any part of another club members colors which include the vest or jacket it’s sewn on. That is
considered serious disrespect, which could cause them to aggressively educate the uninformed.