So you want to start a motorcycle club series
Motorcycle Club Label 101 “Freeloading at MC Annuals”
It happens too often among MCs and it goes against MC etiquette. I call it the “Annual Journal Syndrome” and I call on club presidents to stop this rising tide as they see it happening among their members …
Some simple background information:
In the old days, when clubs practiced discipline (not like now), there was a simple protocol that MCs followed. “You attend our annual celebration and support our club and we will attend yours and support your club!” It can’t be simpler than that, right? And all kinds of traditions were developed to encourage this participation, like trophy counting, for example, where the host club gave away trophies to participating clubs for things like: most members attended, longest distance runner, club further away, most of the women attended. club, busier social clubs, etc – you know where I’m going here. The intention was to attract as many MCs as possible so that a club could earn money and the trophies were symbols of honor that clubs could use to show that they supported other MCs by winning these trophies. Because an annual is one of the most important booster events for MCs, it is vitally important that the annual be a success. An annual is held once a year (usually on the anniversary of a club’s founding) to help earn money for the MC so that it can continue to function that year and most MCs invest heavily in their annuals. They cater, hire DJs, rent party rooms, rent space in larger MCs, some bring entertainment, offer camping facilities and the list goes on and on.
Enter the annual Freeloader:
So it really sucks when the annual “profiteer” shows up and commits the biggest sin. The annual profiteer usually takes out his bike somewhere in front of the event or near the event and just sits outside on his bike and doesn’t buy a ticket. Boooooo! And you see these freeloaders all the time sitting in front of the party having fun with everyone, punching people on the back, hugging and hugging all the “family” they know … hell, they even become the life of the outsiders. The only game is to never make it inside the game and buy a ticket !!!!! Unfortunately, these morons are usually seen by the dozens, camped out in front of MC Annuals, chatting with everyone who passes by. After having fun and having fun with everyone they meet on set, they gather a group of people who were spending money on the annual event and take them to another MC or biker bar to buy drinks there for the rest of the event. night! You can hear the freeloaders saying, “Hey this party is boring, let’s all go to XXXX place and party with them. You know they’re doing something tonight too!” And they go with people who bought and sponsored the annual host club. I get mad when I see these freeloaders sitting in front of the annual event without bracelets. I always ask them, “Why the hell would you show your butt at someone’s annual and park it on your bike without buying a bracelet and supporting your fellow club members?” And MC presidents should ask this very question when they see their club members violating MC etiquette.
How to fix this worrying trend:
Presidents! Don’t let your members take advantage of MC annuals. The annual is important to the life of an MC. It is the oldest tradition among MCs and if you are starting or running an MC, you must respect the traditions and norms that have made MCs successful over time.
It should:
1. Inform your members of the importance of supporting your fellow MCs
2. Tell your members that if they are broke and can’t afford the admission fee, skip the annual! The annual event was designed to make money for the host club, not to provide a personal parade for your club member who wants to have fun on stage and greet everyone.
3. Make sure all your members buy a ticket and get a wristband once they arrive at the event. Some clubs simply take all of their members’ money and present it to the president when they arrive. That’s the great way to do it with more impact.
4. Instruct your members to tell their friends from other clubs and independent motorcyclists they know to buy a ticket if they see them hanging out without a bracelet.
If you are the host club: you must:
1. Consider holding your event within a fenced area and charge people to enter the fenced area so that even if they loiter outside the event, they have still paid to be there.
2. Consider monitoring parking lots and instructing loitering freeloaders to go buy a ticket or leave your event.
3. Consider having your DJs make announcements during your event to tell the presidents not to let your members loiter outside without paying.
Remember friends, love and respect each other and try to do the right things. Taking advantage of other MC parties is totally unsatisfactory and against all MC etiquette. That’s my opinion. National President Black Dragon Black Sabbath MC
