04/20/2016
WHY WE PROSPECT
The MC life is one of old school traditions and we approach this as a lifestyle from our heart and soul. You are now in the process of proving that you are of the same mindset, have the same deepness of loyalty, and love of this life as we do. This is not an easy task. You must not only prove these things, but you must prove that we will be adding to our Brotherhood a Brother, not just a Member.
Prospecting: As we know it means that a man starts riding with, learning from, working and knowing all the full patched Members of the chapter. When a hang around crosses over to a prospect, it means there is a comfort level that has been reached, that good and easy interaction with all Chapter Members has been reached, and the time to deepen the relationship has come. The prospect patch, shows to his future Brothers, that he WANTS to EARN the love, respect and fellowship of ALL and EACH BROTHER of the Chapter. The prospect patch also shows all outlaws, bikers and citizens alike, that he is ready, and in the process of, learning the history of, the spirit of, the protocol of, the traditions of all those Brothers who came and sacrificed before him and FOR him. That he is developing the strong bond of Brotherhood that cannot be given to him, THAT MUST BE EARNED.
The Prospect period is a time when the Prospect is mentored to, observed, and shared with by the Patched Brothers. It is the time when the true feelings and motivation of the novice must be given the opportunity to reveal itself. Does he want a true and deep Brotherhood, or a patch that he believes that once on his back, will fill some gap in his character?
Honor: Honor is a word that is thrown about in the MC world so often; it may lose its meaning. However, as it pertains to our world, the process of EARNING the patch honors all of those that came before the prospect, and earned their patch as well. It honors their sacrifice, hard work, devotion and loyalty. It honors the value, the spirit, and depth of true Brotherhood. It honors every Brother in every Chapter across the globe, which this prospect has walked similar steps, made similar sacrifices, has done similar work, and now can know in certainty, that the Brother he has never met before has the same character strengths and love for the MC, as he. He will never have to worry ‘will I fit in’ or ‘do I belong here’, but have confidence that the shared experience of Prospecting makes him a Brother to not only his Chapter, but to the entire MC as well.
Courage: Courage is not being fearless. We all have fear and when you're outnumbered in a bar by hostiles fear is going to be there. It is what you do with that fear that makes up courage. A prospect must have the clear acceptance and understanding that we are an Outlaw MC, with the patch we wear; we will draw attention from friends, foes and the ignorant alike. The manner in which we deal with these various sorts is what gives us the right to wear our patches. We are free from anyone’s rules but our own. Jealousy and envy can create enemies of perfect strangers who just will not understand how we do what we do. It has been bread in our DNA from day one. A prospect has a period of time to decide if he has it or not, and whether or not he wants to be a part of the life we live 24/7. We mind our own business, and have the balls to tell fake ass people to f**k off and get out of our business every day. Many brothers have answered the call and stepped up to protect their brothers, their club and the patch even when it meant their own pain or even their life. Our prospects and future brothers have to develop the same level of courage and learn to exercise that courage with common sense.
Integrity: Men of good character only are capable of forming the bonds of true brotherhood. As a prospect, you are not only judged by your knowledge of your MC, your familiarity with protocols and general MC experience but also by your character. Do you bring honesty and integrity with you? Are you trustworthy? Will you be there for your Brothers? As a Brother of your MC you not only earn the patch, but the right to wear the patch. Your grasp of this concept will be upmost in the determination of your readiness to stand among those whom you will call ‘brother’.
Brotherhood: We all know a friend we would like to share this experience with. Maybe in civilian life he is our brother, a man that has been with us through good times and bad, and what was once a friendship has blossomed to a real brotherhood. And in our love and respect for our good friend, we would desire to share with him the experience of this MC life. But we must remember and adhere to the principles of MC life and Prospecting, for while he is certainly a brother to one, he must become a Brother to all. He must develop and learn the true spirit of deep and close Brotherhood to and for his Chapter and each Member in it, thereby he becomes the Brother of the entire MC. It is understandable that we would want to bestow the gift of Full Patched Membership to our dear friend, but in giving that unearned honor, we are taking away something this friend has but one chance in a lifetime to receive. We are taking away his opportunity to stand in front of his new Brothers, and know in certainty of all hearts present, that he is indeed, the Brother to all. We take away the swell of deep emotion, the feeling of love, respect, and inclusion that can only come when a man receives the Patch he has earned. We take away heartfelt conviction and confidence that no matter where his life’s journey takes him, he is a Brother to any Member in his MC he may find at his destination. Let’s not take away these well-earned rewards in our rush to share this life with our friend, but let him work and deserve them so he can share this life with his Brothers. And he can become the mentor, the teacher, and the one who shares his experience with the next man of good character whose life is steered to the path of Brotherhood.
To others that come now, they must Prospect to us, to us all. While a Prospect may have one who initiates the sponsorship, the prospective Member is just that, and to the entire Chapter, thereby earning his way into the MC. To those that come now with little or no MC life experience, let’s not cheapen theirs or ours by circumventing this time honored process. Let’s allow them to walk the walk, and let’s walk it with them.
Above all, let us remember this: We are Brothers by choice, not by Blood. When you understand this you will truly be a Brother in the MC.
Sawedoff, 1%er
