Purpose of Probation / Prospecting
Probation is not an initiation, as you would find in a fraternity. It is instead a period of time that is sustained until the person, in every sense, conducts themselves with the respect that is mandated to be a Patchholder. It's a time in which:
The attitude is conditioned so that he/she displays a sense of responsibility and respect toward the patch holders of the club, without which they will not develop a sense of respect for the group.
He/she is educated in basic MC protocol and etiquette.
He/she is given time to develop the habits that are basic to good security and good communications.
To get into the habit of participating.
To become accustomed to trusting the judgment, at times blindly, of those patch holders who will someday be his or her brothers and sisters.
The list could go on but the point here is to demonstrate that probationary period has definite objectives and that a person will go nowhere in the club if he/she is not aware of this and does not apply themselves to those ends. It's not possible to make a checklist of what is expected from a person in all cases. There isn't any formula for success, but the key is ATTITUDE AND RESPECT. Everything else can be learned in time, but a person's attitude comes from the heart.
DMHMC qualifications/prospects
Membership qualifications/ Prospects
1. Prospects must be at least 18 years old.
2. Prospects must have a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
3. Prospects must show a sincere interest in club and bikes.
4. Prospects on the road with bike equipped for the road.
5. Prospect must be sponsored by one member who has known him at least one year (may be waived by vote).
6. Sponsor is responsible for prospect.
7. Sponsor can pull a prospect's rockers at his discretion.
8. Prospects must attend all meetings and club functions.
9. Prospects must do anything another member tells him to do, that a member has done or would be willing to do himself.
10. Prospect will stand behind club and members.
11. No stealing from prospects.
12. Prospect must ride his bike to meeting at time of being voted into club.
13. Prospect must pay that day 20r for his colors before receiving them and 20r is for first month dues. The balance is due in 30 days. This amount is not refundable.
14. Prospect members must be voted in. Two 'no' votes equal a rejection. One 'no' vote must be explained.
15. Prospective member's prospecting period is at the discretion of sponsor and the club. Directorship shall decide when vote is necessary.
16. Every patch holder in club must vote for prospect to make center patch. Vote must be unanimous.
17. No prospect will be voted for center-patch with outstanding loan.
18. Only the sponsor or an officer may hand out a patch to a prospect. This will be done at a meeting with only patch holders present.
OLs
OL' ladies
1. Don't fuck around with a brother's OL' lady. (Probably an Ass Kicking and kick-out from club).
2. Property patches will be brought up before all patch holders for input. Majority vote from all eligible patch holders is required.
3. Members are responsible for their OL' ladies.
4. Members may have more than one (1) OL ' lady.
5. Members must state who his OL ' lady is.
6. Members may not discuss club business with their OL' lady.
7. No OL' ladies allowed at meetings.
8. OL' ladies are allowed unescorted at clubhouse only by prior arrangement by OL' man.
9. Property patch is worn optional on an OL ' lady. So if you see a chick you better ask before you leap.
10. As an OL the lady is considered property of the MC and as such can be confiscated from a member that quits or otherwise loses his cut. This decision is at the discretion of the president pending consult of the executive board and the OL
Respect
Respect
Respect
1. Respect is to be shown to all club members, officers, members, members', bikes, OL', ladies, house, job, etc. In other words, if it's not yours, 'Don't Mess with it.
2. Respect your colors.
3. No stealing from members.
4. No fighting among each other is allowed, any punches to be thrown will be done by the Sgt At Arms.
5.Upon log in, ALL MEMBERS and Prospects are to greet ALL MEMBERS and Prospects already in world
Colors
1. President distributes colors from Church when new member is voted in.
2. When a member leaves club, member turns over colors to president of chapter.
3. Respect your colors; don't let anyone take them from you except the president of the chapter.
4. No hippie shit on the front.
5. Nothing will be worn on the back of your jacket except colors.
6. Colors must be worn at all times when riding or at Club functions. Only one of your brothers or your OL' lady can babysit your colors.
7. Colors are not required to be worn to and from employment if not allowed by employer. If patch is lost or stolen, patch holder will be judged by court.
8. The only way a member of Dead Man's Hand can retire and keep his patch is if local officers authorize him. Minimum time for retirement is 5 years.
9. Retiree may not join another MC while still in possession of his colors
DUES/LOANS
1. Club dues will be paid each month, due by the first.
2. Two months overdue is the limit.
3. They are 20r per month
4. Upon failure of paying dues within two weeks, member shall be suspended and turn in his colors.
5. If within two months dues still aren't paid, the colors will be forfeited to pay them and member will no longer be considered a member. The only exception to this shall be if a member is in jail or if he is out of town for a period of time. If he is in jail, dues won't be expected, but if he is out of town dues will be paid when he returns.
6. All loans or debts will be secured by collateral. Members will agree upon payment. Two patch holders must be present in any personal loan transaction.
General Rules (SOP)
General Rules (Standard Operational Procedure)
If anyone breaks general rules, executive board will deal with them and/or voted by the court.
1. No explosives of any kind will be thrown into the fire where there is one or more Dead Man's Hand in the area. FINE: Ass whipping and subject to the executive board.
2. Brother shall not fight each other with weapons; when any Dead Man's Hand fights another Dead Man's Hand, it is one on one, prospects same as members. FINE: 100.00r for breaking above rule or possible loss of patch.
3. If you don't help out the Club in its activities and you use the Club solely for your benefit, you will be warned. No second chance.
4. Do what you say you'll do or walk the fucking line.
5. Dead Man's Hand losing privilege of wearing colors will also lose privilege of voting and ruling over prospects.
6. The treasurer shall keep a clear record of all money paid in and out during the week and will balance it before every meeting; the books will be gone over once a week.
7. All Dead Man Hand's fines will be paid within 30 days. Fines will be paid to the treasurer.
8. Members with extra parts will loan them to members. They must be replaced or paid for.
9. If you get busted and or go to jail, notify an officer or member so he can arrange for your bail.
10. Where we go on our rides will be voted upon by the entire membership.
11. Each patch holder/prospect is required to maintain a valid motor vehicle license, which includes the authorization to operate motorcycle.
12. Everyone must have an American bike. Consideration will be give to any member who is in between bikes but he must sincerely intend to get another bike in the very near future.
13. If for some reason, such as a license suspension, a member can't ride on the road for a long period of time, or if he is without a bike for a short time, he will turn in his patch and upon getting back on the road, the patch will be returned.
14. If a member's bike is not running for a period of thirty days, unless he is in jail or hospital, his colors will be confiscated. A member's bike must be running for at least one week (e.g., not fifteen minutes), to be exempt from the above rule. This period is subject to change at the discretion of the executive board. This is a MOTORCYCLE CLUB!
15. Confirmation vote is required for all new patch-holders at their 6 month point. Unanimous vote from all good standing members is required.
16. Absolutely no talking about Club business to persons outside the Club. No talking about Club business over any telephone.
17. If you are told you are too drunk to drive, you will turn over your keys to a brother. You and your scooter will be taken care of.
18. If the Road Captain or an Officer determines your bike is unsafe to ride, you are grounded until it is safe.
19. During funeral runs, no one will pack a passenger, patch must be seen.
20. The run for "Beer with Brutal" and Dahlmer is mandatory, no excuses.
21. All Club vehicles will be returned with all fluids full and in good condition. Maintenance will be done under the supervision of the maintenance supervisor; a patch holder designated by the Road Captain.
22. 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.
23. Prospect will watch all bikes when members are at Club functions, in bars, and anywhere the senior member present deems necessary.
24. There will be a Club run on a Sunday once a month. Whoever picks the run route will lead the pack.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The rules of the club will be strictly enforced. If anyone breaks them, executive board will deal them with. If these rules and regulations are broken, it could mean either immediate dismissal or suspension, whatever the executive board sees fit.
Breaking any of the following Rules will be reason for immediately kick-out from club and probably an Ass Kicking:
1. Failure to pay his dues according to the section dealing with the paying of dues.
2. No hype. No use of heroin in any form. Anyone using a needle for any reason other than having a doctor use it on you will be considered hype. (Automatic kick-out from club)
3. If any brother gets hooked on any drug that is dangerous to the club he will be helped first. Then he will be dealt by the executive board.
4. No narcotics burn. When making deals, persons get what they are promised or the deal is called off (Automatic kick-out from club).
5. If you're selling dope you don't do it as a club member, you don't wear your colors, you don't wear your club T-shirts (Automatic kick-out from club).
6. There will be no stealing among members. Anyone caught will get an ass kicking and be kicked out of the club (Automatic kick-out from club).
7. If a patch holder or prospect throws his colors or quits, colors are pulled (Automatic kick-out from club).
8. Members cannot belong to any other clubs.
9. If a group or individual attacks any member, the whole club shall stand behind him and fight if necessary. If, however, the 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.
10. No member will disgrace the club by being yellow. (The above rules will be put forward to applicants. If they cannot abide by these rules and are not in favor of them, they will be denied membership to the club.)
11. No member will destroy club property purposely.
12. No member will take the attitude that he doesn't have to help other members and other members don't have to help him
13. No member will go against anything the club has voted for and passed.
14. No member will get together on their own and plan something for themselves on club rides. It will be brought up to the whole club and the whole club will participate in anything that is decided upon.
15. The club will always stay together on rides, runs, parties, field meets etc. and will not fraternize with club's rival clubs. The only way a member will be permitted to leave the main group will be to notify the president or whoever is in charge. When the time comes that the majority feels it is time to leave, we will all leave together. Anyone staying behind for a good reason will do so at his own risk and can expect no help.
16. Members will have good attendance. Members must have a good reason for not attending meetings or rides, such as working, sickness, no transportation, and bike not running.