Today I'd like to express my thoughts on the BEST and WORST part of clubs.. PROSPECTING. This, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects of being in a Club! Unfortunately, in the rush to "member up", it's often the weak link that has ripped our community in half recently.
After you've hung around and ridden with a group long enough, you are usually approached and asked if you'd like to become a member. Upon accepting the offer, you are presented with a prospect patch to validate your intentions.
Let's take a minute to explain the prospecting experience! Prospecting is simply a timeframe (usually 6mos, but as long as 2yrs.), in which the Club members have a chance to evaluate a possible addition to their Biker family. Now let's break it down a little further by explaining it from both sides.
As a prospect, you are often asked to perform various task and assigned duties to help out the Club. As a prospect, you are expected to obey WITHOUT QUESTION, whatever you're asked to do. Obedience without hesitation is an indicator to Members of your commitment to the group. The timeframe of prospecting is dependant on your reaction to the things you're asked to do. Washing members Bikes, tending the Clubhouse bar and running members errands are frequent requests. But, that might only be the tip of the iceberg so to say.. a member might ask you to take off your prospect vest and lay it on a mud puddle, so a Patched Member's boots don't get dirty. A Patched Member might get ask you to drink half of a fifth of booze, then question you about your past for 4hrs. WHATEVER you're asked to do, you are expected to perform the task without hesitation and without question! This let's your Club Brothers know that you're down with ANYTHING thats required of you as a myember.
Short break here! NONE of us has joined a group without being "hazed" to SOME extent. From High School football teams, to newly assigned Military Companies and Bike Clubs, all groups want to make sure YOU'RE a good "fit" for the group! (when I was assigned overseas, in Nuremberg Germany with the Army, MY "hazing" consisted of a paid visit to the "red light" district because my unit didn't want any virgins, lol.. I hated doing that of course! 😉)
On the other hand, as a Patched Member, while you're not limited in WHAT you can ask a prospect to do, you should ask a prospect to perform a duty with the intent of assessing a specific quality of a prospect, NOT just to be a dick! Also, in MY opinion, EVERY Patched Member should get to know a newbie and decide if they have your back before a vote. You might need to rely on this guy some day!
After a time that depends on your reaction, the Club will hold a "Member Only" vote to decide your fate! If its a "No Go", you're probably going to be asked to get lost. But if it's a YES vote, you're awarded your "colors". Let me add this.. you're probably going to be "awarded colors" AFTER being mauled by the biggest goons in your Club, or maybe AFTER walking through all your new Brothers while EACH ONE punches you in the arm as hard as they can. The presentation of your Club Patches is
the most memorable and honorable experience for new Members! You've EARNED the right to wear those patches and you'd defend them with your life!! (Shortly after I was taken to the "red light" district in Nuremberg, I was awarded my E3 stripe. I was asked to walk shirtless through my Brothers while my new stripes were pounded into my chest. It was a bloody mess but I never flinched and my new FAMILY ate it up!!)
Prospecting can be a valuable and memorable experience, you'll have good AND bad days, trust me! But at the End, when you're welcomed as a Patched Member, it's well worth EVERY minute!!
Yeah I've babbled on for a minute, but if you've never been through prospecting, now you know what it's about! Have a GREAT day and I'll catch you later, it's been fun! 👍🏻