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[GUIDE] Motorcycle Clubs: Leaving the Organization.


sk8

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So, this is something that came to mind after watching a great live-stream from Black Dragon TV about exiting clubs and the definition of "out-bad" in Motorcycle Club terms, and it's something that hasn't been addressed in RP before, primarily due to a lack of information on the subject matter. 

 

 

Firstly, we need to identify the way's in which a member may leave an MC: 

1) They may be ejected from the club, and thus considered "out-bad." 

2) They may of walked away from the club amicably, thus considered "out in good standing." 

3) They may of walked away from the club with no discussion, which generally leads to an "out-bad" status. 

4) They may be forced to walk away in good standing due to issues with Law Enforcement. Sometimes permanently, more often than not, temporarily. Primarily parole conditions.

5) They may need to take long-term medical leave and later determine when/if they will be able to ride again. (Very common amongst older members/lifers.) 

 

Next, we need to get into the criteria to be considered Out Bad: 

 

By traditions of biker culture, out bad is reserved for the following things:

  • That member violated universal MC protocol majorly. 
  • That member went against the word of the club in his actions. 
  • That member was a Sex Offender (Child molester, rapist etc.) 
  • That member was working with/for/in assistance with Law Enforcement. 
  • That member was a thief. 
  • That member committed violent acts on another Member or associate unwarranted.
  • That member committed violent acts on a member of the public unjustly and severely. 
  • That member was guilty of intravenous drug use. 

 

Basically, you had to do something so devastating to your club or to the MC community as a whole that warranted you receiving such a harsh punishment. 

 

Black Dragon and Shaggy make terrific points, that nowadays - the criteria for Out-bad in the majority of clubs is  lackadaisical and can be summed up to very petty reasonings, such as inner-conflicts between members that don't hurt the organization as a whole (Internal drama is to be expected.) Big Bone, a 1%er and President of the Outcast MC goes on to say that some of the reasons for ejection in this modern era are downright laughable. Hollywood from Insane Throttle, at a point make's a very clear and decisive question to the 1%er's in the live chat, that I'll paraphrase - "Is it true that you can be ejected from a club these days for pissing in the wind and get called out-bad?" to which the two 1%ers blatantly agree. 

 

What this means in the grand translation of things, is that the term Out-Bad, without a proper warrant behind it, and without that club educating the other MC's as to why that was justified. It's then up to the community as a whole, or the individual clubs to either take that word as gospel, or with a grain of salt after considering all sides. 

 

It's important to note also, that a large part of out-bad culture, or voting someone out in general, is that every man who earned his patch has his right to his day in court. This means that no one should ever be ejected from an MC without due process. Innocent until proven guilty, and then voted upon. Prior to this, it's important that the Sergeant at Arms or another Officer in his leu brings the charges forward to that member, well before the time of trial. 

 

The implications for being out-bad are that you are removed from the MC community as a whole, and are essentially black-listed in the scene by tradition. However, in the modern era - this is not the case. 

 

The way that club's handle out-bad members, dependent on reasoning, is generally accompanied by hostility to that member after the fact, or more likely - refusing to acknowledge their existence in the future. The Sons of Anarchy mentality of killing everyone who leaves is ridiculous and just not accurate. The reality is, if you're ejected outbad, that's enough. There's no need to take it past the possible beat-down you may get in your final meeting. 

 

Now, we will go over the criteria to be considered out in good standing: 

 

  • The member must step-away due to other commitment's outside of their control. 
  • The member must leave due to ongoing legal troubles which would see the club as a detriment to their case. 
  • The member has undergone serious health instances. 
  • The member has simply lost touch with the club and it's values. 
  • The member has reached an age where they can no longer adhere to the minimum requirements for membership. 
  • The member feels their overall safety, or that of their family is being directly affected by the club's membership. 

 

Out in good standing is an interesting line to walk. Essentially, it reverts you back to "hangaround" status with a few extra added perks. Dependent on the club, you may be able to retain your ink and supporter gear, however turning in your patch is almost always mandatory. Members out in good standing, dependent on reasoning, may be eligible to get their full patches back under the clubs bylaws should that club later deem it appropriate. 

 

Lastly, we need to discuss the next steps once someone is out, whether it be bad or good.

 

The most common question people are looking for an answer for here, is "Is it possible to join another club after leaving?" - and the answer is, regardless of the status - yes. Prospects are free to come and go and prospect for as many clubs as will have them, up to that clubs direction. Patched Members from other clubs coming over from leaving in good standing, is obviously widely accepted and part of the norm. In fact, some may leave a smaller club, notifying them they wish to try their luck with one of the diamond clubs. This is especially common in regular MC's when members feel like they're ready to take the plunge into the 1%er world. 

 

For members in bad standing, that's entirely up to the club taking them as to what happens next. It's at that clubs discretion to wade through the bullshit so to speak, and come to their own conclusion as to whether or not that members out-bad status was justified or not, given modern context. Another thing to note, is that the criteria for one club putting someone out bad, versus another - is completely different. But regardless, it's an extremely important conversation to be had between the organisations as to why that member was ejected. It's generally considered correct protocol to give the other club who's inquiring about that member the full run-down of things from your side, without revealing too much of what you shouldn't be. If you want to try argue this point, it's stated plainly and clearly - it happens, and it happens a lot. 

 

When a member is out-bad, whether considered rightly or not, he is expected to do the following things: 

  • Keep the club out of his mouth.
  • Never identify himself as a member past, future or present. 
  • Cover up and ink permanently. 
  • Return all patches and memorabilia/merch. 
  • Dependent on club, hand in his motorcycle.

 

Closing statement: 

 

The purpose of this guide is to educate the MC RP community on the inner-workings of MC's and how membership actually works. What you need to understand is that the lifespan of a member in an MC these days is an average of 5 years, before they either leave on good terms, or are ejected one way or another. What this means, is that it's actually a ridiculously common event. Not every member who leaves the club is hurt. Not every member who leaves is killed, or violence taken upon. It really depends on context and situation. 

 

The culture in the MC RP scene has always been to CK someone out, or to do any number of things to try and eject them with the most cinematic exit. This just isn't the case in reality, and 99% of the time, leaving the club behind one way or another, means just that. You leave, and life continues. You drop your flags and you stop identifying as a member of that culture. 

 

 

Credits: 

 

  • Black Dragon - East Bay Dragons MC, President. 
  • Shaggy - Invaders MC (1%)  - Chairman for Confederation of Clubs.
  • WildOn2's - Boozefighters MC. 
  • Big Bone - Outcast MC (1%) President and Chairman for Confederation of Clubs in Florida. 
  • Hollywood/Insane Throttle - Former MC member/Current reporter for MC scene. 
  • Shawn Pac - Ice Cold Ryders MC. 
  • sk8 - thread author. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This is fantastic and I'm glad you've touched on how ridiculous the idea is that members leaving a club = mEeTiNg tHe rEaPeR. Imagine killing that many people when you already have to fight tooth and nail to prove that you're not a criminal organization lol...

Edited by Chef
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