MC Protocol 101
1. Motorcycle club patch holders are people too. They have good and bad days; they have jobs,
families, and normal everyday problems and concerns just like anyone 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 both
good and bad.
2. Protocol and Respect are primary rules when dealing with a motorcycle club patch holder. If you
are FORMALLY introduced to an MC patch holder, make sure either the person doing the
introduction (or you) knows that you belong to VBC & if you are an officer, 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 till the introduction is done & politely introduce yourself correctly (use
your name Ð not your nickname, nicknames may come later.). i.e.É
-Joe Rider, Victory Biker Church, Any town.
-Fred Spokes, Position, Victory Biker Church, Any town.
(Use your name Ð not your nickname. Nicknames may come later.)
3. Greet them as you would meet anyone else & wait until the 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 VBC a little 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,
ÒThat seems like association business, and I would like to refer that to one of our officers in order to
get better information for you.Ó Be prepared to answer questions about what your association is
about. Such asÉ.
A.) ÒWe are the Victory Biker Church & not a motorcycle club and have no intention of ever trying to
become a motorcycle clubÓ.
B.) Our Patch is bought.
D.) All makes and models of motorcycles are welcomed in the Victory Biker Church.
E.) We are a non-territorial church and wear nothing signifying territory.
F.) We are a neutral association and do not wear any MC support patches.
G.) Women riders are welcome and are welcomed as full members.
H.) Do not offer forum links or web sites, itÕs better to refer them to a VBC officer.
I.) Do NOT brag about how large the local or national membership is.
J.) Do not volunteer VBC info. If they ask a question about VBC answer it 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 VBC Officers.
5. Most clubs realize that the VBC is like a riding club, for the most part, but we are still a church.
When approached, be aware that most patch holders will want to deal with local or state
representatives.
6. If anyone knows a patch holder, donÕt let him/her throw the patch holderÕs name/nickname/clubÕs
name around like youÕre 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 Òsupport memberÓ. Patchholders 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 up way out of proportion.
8. Anything said about clubs between members is our business ONLY. If comments, even those said
in a joking manner were to get out, problems could start. Discussion outside the privacy of the VBC
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 youÕre 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 canÕt overhear it & misunderstand what youÕre talking
about.
10. Watch where you wear your patch and itÕs just common sense to stay in numbers when wearing
the patch. (Some motorcycle clubs can be very territorial and some clubs donÕt see any difference
between a RIDING CLUB and MOTORCYCLE CLUB, good or bad, and may not care that VBC is a
church.) If you are unsure of the areas or places normally frequented by motorcycle clubs, find out
from your VBC Officers. If you are planning on traveling and are concerned about what the situation
may be in regard to the relationship with the local motorcycle clubs in the areas youÕll 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. ÒSHOW THEM RESPECT.Ó ThatÕs A #1 with them! (and worth repeating).
12. If you already know a patch holder, or get to know one in the future, donÕt just walk up to him/her
and interrupt when they are with other members. Wait till he/she acknowledges you first and NEVER
touch them or put your arm around them like a buddy. DonÕt put your hand out to shake theirs; wait
for them to extend their hand first. If for some reason youÕre 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 all of 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 ÒsupportÕsÓ functions instead
of the top clubÕs function (if they have a support patch then youÕre still indirectly showing the top
club respect). But if you do go, then you also have to go to their rival clubsÕ function or youÕll be
telling everyone that youÕre not a ÒNEUTRALÓ as you said you were. (Example: If you go to the Club
AÕs function then YOU HAVE TO GO to the Club BÕs 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 know if youÕre
going too, so theyÕre 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 neutral is to
attend only Òopen to the publicÓ events that a motorcycle club may be sponsoring.
If you feel that you do want or need to go to a Òlimited eventÓ, then youÕll have to go representing
yourself as yourself, preferably without wearing any patches identifying your affiliation to the VBC.
Remember, if youÕre wearing your VBC patch, you are considered by everyone to be representing the
Victory Biker Church. If anything were to turn sour, then the whole Church could wind up with
problems down the road. Also, once the rivals of that club you visited find out (and they will within a
day or two), then those rivals will see you as no longer being neutral & you could be considered a
rival of theirs too.
14. No CLBÕs (Chapter Location Bars), any territory rockers, or anything giving the appearance of a
rocker should be worn with the Association patch. No State flags, state logos, no diamonds (front
and back), cube shape or rockers to be worn on the back of your jacket. That could be taken as 1%
MC/MC. Diamond shapes may be worn in some areas and not in others. ItÕs best to check with your
VBC officers to make sure of what is ok in your area.
15. If someone from a motorcycle club requests that you remove your vest/patch, donÕt argue. The
best reply is, ÒNo ProblemÓ & politely take it off and let your VBC Officers 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 ÒNo ColorsÓ, even though your patch is not considered
ÒcolorsÓ, the vest should be removed out of respect to the other clubs and the policy of the
establishment. While we may just be a church, itÕs only respectful to honor the house rules.
Motorcycle clubs that honored the Òhouse rulesÓ would probably be deeply offended that you didnÕt.
Also, remember many establishments choose to have this policy and it applies to all clubs and
associations that use any kind of patch; they do not distinguish between an MC, an RC, or an
Association. Be aware of the local motorcycle club hangouts & itÕs best not to wear our VBC patch
into them without an invitation.
17. Do not wear your Patch into a motorcycle club clubhouse unless you have asked if itÕs ok to do
so or have been invited for a Òsit downÓ with the officers of the motorcycle club, or been invited as a
VBC Member, to attend a function there.
18. In regard to women who are with an MC club, but not in the club: Old Lady is not a negative or
derogatory term, itÕs just a slang term commonly used. ÒProperty OfÓ patches are their way of
showing support for their man and the club heÕs 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 holderÕs 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 actually have a patch saying ÒPROSPECTÓ. Some do not wear any patch, because all the patch
holders know who the prospects are. You want to treat a prospect or even someone you suspect is a
prospect the same way you would treat a patch holder Ð 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 VBC members who are with you (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 your Officers know about the
situation. If an incident should occur in spite of your efforts when no Officers are present, make sure
to let your Officers know as soon afterward as you can. If no Officers happen to be there, then ALL of
the VBC members that are there need to make the attempt to take that person aside, and strongly
suggest that the offending VBC member go somewhere else to settle down.
24. Be aware that problems created in one part of the country by a VBC member or issues with the
VBC in one area have the potential to affect VBC members in other areas and states.
25. The term Brother or Bro has a special meaning to a patch holder. Do not call a patch holder
Brother or Bro. Their Brothers are fellow patch holders and those that have earned that term.
26. DonÕt ever touch any part of a club memberÕs colors, which includes the vest or jacket itÕs sewn
on. That is considered serious disrespect, which could cause them to aggressively educate the
uninformed.
Remember this is only a Basic on the protocol.
The ÒGolden RuleÓ of conduct that you should bear in mind while traveling in club circles:
“SHOW THEM RESPECT”
If you give respect, you will get respect. If you act like an a**hole, you will be treated like one.
