What It's Like to Be a Prospect by E.T. (2 of 3)
July/12/2011 Filed in: Hangarounds and Prospects
Hey Prospect!!!
We hear it and say it all the time. Do you ever stop and wonder what the true meaning of prospecting is? It so happens that my son, Dylan, aka Armadylan, recently turned twelve, and he and I were talking about the fact that in just four years he'll be old enough to prospect. We had a nice little talk about what prospecting is for and what it involves. And of course, this took place in the garage, as all good biker related conversations should – if they involve people too young to get into the bar.
Our talk got me thinking and my thinking got me typing.
First: what does the word “prospect” mean? Maybe you've never thought about it, but it's short for “prospective”. It means this person is not a Gypsy. It means they're checking us out, and we're checking them out. Everybody's looking to see if this new person “fits”. It's a period of learning. Whenever I talk to someone who's thinking about prospecting, and they're a veteran, I can make the explanation easily. You're in Boot Camp, and your whole chapter are your Drill Instructors. This is usually pretty illuminating for those of us who have worn a uniform.
This is the time for the prospect to learn about the club. To learn about MC life. A sponsor's job should never be taken lightly. As a sponsor, it's your job to be Teacher, Drill Sgt, and Coach all rolled into one. Make sure that prospect knows the Constitution and rules of the club. Teach him or her the history and proud heritage of Gypsy MC. The traditions old and new and even the ones just starting to form. Make sure they know the chain of command and have them meet everyone possible in that chain. Make sure they know as many members in the area as possible. Visiting other chapters at their meeting is a great idea.
Why is it that we order our prospects to fetch beer or pitch tents? Why does it fall to prospects to clean up campsites and meeting rooms? Is it because we just don't want to do it ourselves? Well, maybe. But the real reason, at least in my belief, is as follows. We refer to our fellow members as brothers and sisters. Family. Family is there for good times and bad. If you're just willing to hang out with me at a party or a bar, you don't need colors for that. Before I vote to hang a Pickle on you, I need to know that you can give and receive help, concern, condolence, whatever, whenever it's needed. I can rattle off a name per second of brothers and sisters that I can call in the middle of the night and the only question they'll have is “What do you need?” So, Prospect, you want me to call you “Brother” (or “Sister”)? Prove you can be counted on. If you're not willing to go on an ice run or fetch me a bourbon and coke from the bar or help me set up my tent in the dark without whining about it, why the hell would I expect you to be there for something big when I actually need somebody?
Another reason for the prospecting is respect. The biker world in general, and especially for MCs, depends heavily on respect. You respect yourself or no one will. You respect your sponsors and the patch holders and officers of your club. And yes, you respect the members of other clubs. How well you respect or how badly you disrespect other club members will reflect back on us. You can make us look good or you can cause us trouble. Running around for six months picking up after others will instill respect. And because you respect other people just as human beings, you won't leave a mess for the next prospects to pick up. Also, out of respect for your Gold family, you won't leave a run site or meeting place in a state that makes us look like pigs. Respect. It's not really possible to say it too much.
Related to respect is pride. Like I asked Armadylan in our conversation, would you be proud to win the lottery? Not really. You'd be excited and happy, sure, but there's no pride there. Would you be proud if you started a business, did really well, scrimped and saved and built up a fortune? Hell, yes, and rightfully so. There's not a thing wrong with enjoying and being
happy about gifts. But when you earn something, it means so much more than if it's just handed to you. There are plenty of Motorcyclist Associations out there that will gladly sell you a membership. If you just want a pretty patch to sew on the back of a vest, find one of those groups and write a check. If you want to be proud of belonging to an organization, earn that membership.
I think Dylan absorbed as much of this as could be expected of a twelve year old. As a matter of fact, he answered a lot of my questions correctly on his own. I was pretty proud especially that he popped out with the word “respect” on his own, without much prodding. Probably helps that his mother and stepfather are also patch holders (retired Lifers, even). I know that when the time comes, if he decides to take the steps to join us as an adult member, he'll know what he's doing and why he's doing it. Can you say the same thing about your prospects and hang arounds?
This is the time for the prospect to learn about the club. To learn about MC life. A sponsor's job should never be taken lightly. As a sponsor, it's your job to be Teacher, Drill Sgt, and Coach all rolled into one. Make sure that prospect knows the Constitution and rules of the club. Teach him or her the history and proud heritage of Gypsy MC. The traditions old and new and even the ones just starting to form. Make sure they know the chain of command and have them meet everyone possible in that chain. Make sure they know as many members in the area as possible. Visiting other chapters at their meeting is a great idea.
Why is it that we order our prospects to fetch beer or pitch tents? Why does it fall to prospects to clean up campsites and meeting rooms? Is it because we just don't want to do it ourselves? Well, maybe. But the real reason, at least in my belief, is as follows. We refer to our fellow members as brothers and sisters. Family. Family is there for good times and bad. If you're just willing to hang out with me at a party or a bar, you don't need colors for that. Before I vote to hang a Pickle on you, I need to know that you can give and receive help, concern, condolence, whatever, whenever it's needed. I can rattle off a name per second of brothers and sisters that I can call in the middle of the night and the only question they'll have is “What do you need?” So, Prospect, you want me to call you “Brother” (or “Sister”)? Prove you can be counted on. If you're not willing to go on an ice run or fetch me a bourbon and coke from the bar or help me set up my tent in the dark without whining about it, why the hell would I expect you to be there for something big when I actually need somebody?
Another reason for the prospecting is respect. The biker world in general, and especially for MCs, depends heavily on respect. You respect yourself or no one will. You respect your sponsors and the patch holders and officers of your club. And yes, you respect the members of other clubs. How well you respect or how badly you disrespect other club members will reflect back on us. You can make us look good or you can cause us trouble. Running around for six months picking up after others will instill respect. And because you respect other people just as human beings, you won't leave a mess for the next prospects to pick up. Also, out of respect for your Gold family, you won't leave a run site or meeting place in a state that makes us look like pigs. Respect. It's not really possible to say it too much.
Related to respect is pride. Like I asked Armadylan in our conversation, would you be proud to win the lottery? Not really. You'd be excited and happy, sure, but there's no pride there. Would you be proud if you started a business, did really well, scrimped and saved and built up a fortune? Hell, yes, and rightfully so. There's not a thing wrong with enjoying and being
I think Dylan absorbed as much of this as could be expected of a twelve year old. As a matter of fact, he answered a lot of my questions correctly on his own. I was pretty proud especially that he popped out with the word “respect” on his own, without much prodding. Probably helps that his mother and stepfather are also patch holders (retired Lifers, even). I know that when the time comes, if he decides to take the steps to join us as an adult member, he'll know what he's doing and why he's doing it. Can you say the same thing about your prospects and hang arounds?
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