SOCIAL PROTOCOLS

  1. When arriving at a public multi-club function, walk to and greet your command team, then greet other clubs’ leadership in order of the clubs’ tier position.
  2. When arriving to any location, turn off music that may be playing through your speakers so you do not blast the scene and interrupt ongoing conversations; the only sound coming from your bike should be from the engine.
  3. Do not rev your engine in a “showing off” fashion when arriving or leaving a location. No one cares how loud your pipes are except you, and blasting the scene is disrespectful.
  4. If a higher tier club is already present at an establishment, the senior CVMC member should approach with members present and all present shall introduce themselves to the other club starting with their highest ranks and working their way down the hierarchy of members present.
  5. If a lower tier club is already present at an establishment, they should approach the senior CVMC member and introduce themselves starting with the highest ranked Countrymen present. If that is not obvious to them, CVMC members shall inform them clearly who the senior patched member is present, and direct them to him by gesture or escort.
  6. Never miss an opportunity to meet someone from another club. Introductions are short and respectful. Passively ignoring someone is disrespectful.
  7. If a group or individual attacks any member, the whole club shall stand behind him and fight if necessary. If, however, a member is drunk and aggressive and purposely starts an argument, the rest of the members will escort him away, or step between before trouble starts.
  8. The club stays together. The only way a member will be permitted to leave the main group will be to notify the president or whoever is in charge.
  9. There shall be a wrecking crew consisting of the Sergeant at Arms, the Junior Patch, and whomever the Senior Patch may designate. The purpose of the wrecking crew is to check out bars, etc. prior to entry by President, Vice President, or Senior Patch.
  10. Prospect will watch all bikes when members are at club functions, in bars, and anywhere the senior member present deems necessary.
  11. Do not sit on another person’s bike unless invited to do so. Don’t ask. Don’t expect the invitation.
  12. Look out for each other’s behavior in public, especially around other clubs. Take action to avoid problems before they happen. Pull them aside or suggest going somewhere else until things settle down. If they’ve already caused offense to another organization, remove them from the area, and report it to the nearest Countrymen officer.
  13. Treat other clubs’ Prospects with the same respect and courtesy you would one of their members. They likely will be one day.
  14. Clubs do not address other clubs’ Prospects by the term “Prospect”; use their name they provided during their intro.
  15. Never bring a personal friend or a stranger into the presence of patch holders without asking permission to do so first.
  16. If two or more patch holders are having a private conversation, do not approach them within earshot, especially if they are talking with a patch holder of another club. If an interruption is warranted (such as a very urgent and important issue that requires that specific patch holders attention), put yourself in a place of visibility and wait to be acknowledged.
  17. Always show respect to a patch holder of another club. They earned their patch, just as we earn our patches.
  18. Never call a patch holder of another club “brother”. He’s not your brother.
  19. Avoid turning your back on or blocking with your back the personal space and view of another club’s patch holder with your colors as this may be construed as “positioning” and disrespectful.
  20. General members of the public who approach the club to discuss anything should not be allowed to go directly to the command team. They should be intercepted, asked what their business or interest is, then upon conferring with someone from the command team, they will either be brought to the command team, or given other instructions.
  21. If a patched member of another club approaches the CVMC and asks to speak with someone from the command team, notify the command team first and they will come to the visitor.
  22. If someone from a senior-tier MC (territorial, diamond 13, 1% support, or 1%) requests you remove your cut, comply, remove yourself, and get the name of the person and club to the President as soon as possible.
  23. Don’t get overly friendly or open regarding club matters with someone that is not in the club, even if they are in a friendly club. Always be respectful, but an outsider is an outsider at the end of the day.
  24. Be prepared to answer questions about what our club is about. Sometimes clubs will ask specific questions to see if we’re “in the know”, or they’re looking to see if you have the ability to keep our business in house while being respectful to others. Some answers to have prepared include:
    1. Who are the Countrymen?
      … We’re a Veteran MC with a focus on fraternity/brotherhood, and supporting veteran fundraising causes.
    2. How do you get your patch?
      … Our patch is earned, not bought, over at least a six-month period
    3. Do members pay dues?
      … Yes, members pay dues (how much is club business)
    4. Do y’all allow women?
      … No, we’re a men-only club
    5. Are y’all a mixed club?
      … Yes, we allow members of all races
    6. What kinds of bikes are allowed?
      … Cruisers and baggers big enough to keep the formation
    7. Where are y’all out of?
      … We’re non-territorial, but our chapter operates out of <county>
    8. Where are you from?
      …  I’m from <city name>
    9. Do y’all support the <any club>?
      … We’re not a support club, but show respect where respect is given.
    10. How many members do you have?
       … More than one, less than 100
  25. If you don’t know, say you don’t know – “I don’t know the answer to that, but I can put you in touch with someone who might if you’d like.”
  26. When leaving a multi-club event, leave with at least one other person if at all possible.
  27. General members of the public who approach the club to discuss anything should not be allowed to go directly to the command team directly. They should be intercepted, asked what their business or interest is, then directed to a senior patch member or the Sergeant-at-Arms. If their business or interest should be brought to the attention of the command team, an introduction can be made.
  28. If a patched member of another club approaches the CVMC and asks to speak with someone from the command team, notify the command team first and they will come to the visitor, or be told to escort that person to the senior officer on ground.
  29. When arriving to an event or gathering, walk to and greet CVMC leadership first before other members in order of seniority, and before the leadership of any other club(s) present.