The typical internal organisation of a motorcycle club, such as Hells Angels would consist of a club president, a vice president, a treasurer, secretary, road captain and sergeant at arms. The first branch to be established for a particular MC would be known as the “Mother Chapter”, and as other localized groups are formed they would be known simply as Chapters. Each chapter would have its own elected officials, but the President of the Mother Chapter would also be president of the entire MC, and would have overall responsibility for setting the club’s policies.
If a biker wishes to become a member of an MC, in the first instance he will begin his association as a guest, or a “hang-around” and he will be invited to attend certain club events and meet other members at established meeting places. If the aspirant is accepted after his initial period as a guest, he will be raised to the status of prospective member, or “prospect”, for a period of time. He will then be allowed to participate in certain club activities, but will not have any voting rights while his evaluation for full membership continues. During the prospecting period, some initiation or “hazing” may take place, including the performance of menial tasks, and may even involve some minor law breaking in certain “outlaw” clubs.
Upon successful admission to full member status, the member is awarded the full logo patch, and is referred to as a “full patch member”.
A majority of MC clubs do not permit full membership to women, and clubs such as Hells Angels are considered to be racist as well as sexist as they do not permit African-Americans, Native Americans or Jews to become members.
If a biker wishes to become a member of an MC, in the first instance he will begin his association as a guest, or a “hang-around” and he will be invited to attend certain club events and meet other members at established meeting places. If the aspirant is accepted after his initial period as a guest, he will be raised to the status of prospective member, or “prospect”, for a period of time. He will then be allowed to participate in certain club activities, but will not have any voting rights while his evaluation for full membership continues. During the prospecting period, some initiation or “hazing” may take place, including the performance of menial tasks, and may even involve some minor law breaking in certain “outlaw” clubs.
Upon successful admission to full member status, the member is awarded the full logo patch, and is referred to as a “full patch member”.
A majority of MC clubs do not permit full membership to women, and clubs such as Hells Angels are considered to be racist as well as sexist as they do not permit African-Americans, Native Americans or Jews to become members.