1.    GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MOTORCYCLE CLUB

         1.1    It is important for anyone wanting to start a new club/club chapter to first understand all the protocols and rules and to follow the

                  guidelines so as to avoid any confusion and/or misconceptions.

         1.2    No new club in the Eastern Cape will be allowed to start off as a MC.  Any club that wishes to become a MC will first have to

                  operate as a MCC and will have to fulfil all the criteria with regards to an MC within a period of 5 years and only with a

                  recommendation from the EC Task Team.

         1.3    No new clubs or club chapters with International affiliations will be allowed to open in the Eastern Cape.

         1.4    It is highly recommended that a person/ persons who intend starting a new club, first consider riding or socializing with existing

                  clubs in their area in order to familiarize themselves with the protocols and/ or behaviours of the local biking community.

         1.5    All clubs in existence for less than 2 years and not affiliated to the Eastern Cape Presidents Council need to comply with Protocols

                  set out in this document as well as become part of the ECPC, either as full member or associate member.

         1.6    Minimum period for any new club to qualify for acknowledgement as a full back patch club is 12 months from the date on which

                  the club registration is formally approved.

         1.7    The full process entails a minimum 12 months period consisting of the 3 month whilst awaiting approval for registration plus the 9

                  months’ probation period from date of registration.

         1.8    No person/s subjected to a cooling off period and without the consent of the ECPC will be allowed to wear a patch identifying

                  them as being part of the biking community.

         1.9    A club may not consist of less than six independent riders each with their own bikes. One family group of six do not qualify as

                  such independent riders. 

2.    COOLING OFF PERIOD

         2.1    New clubs are often founded by persons who has left an existing club, whatever the reason might be. However, it is an accepted

                  practice that any person/s leaving a club, has to wait for a given time before joining another club. As per the Constitution of the

                  Club that the person has left. 

         2.2    This is also applicable to such persons starting a new club or a new chapter on behalf of an existing club.

         2.3   This time period is referred to as a “cooling off” period. The ONLY time and with the following will be acceptable, WILL be with the

                 recommendation from the EC Task Team and full vote from the ECPC.

                  2.3.1    Patch-Over:

                               This is where a whole club or club chapter is closed down thus no longer to be in existence and absorbed into another

                               club or different chapter of the same original club. In such a scenario the members of the club/chapter being closed down

                               are absorbed into the other club/chapter as full members. This normally entails a negotiated process between the

                               relevant parties.

                  2.3.2    Patch-up:

                               This is where an existing club/chapter change its name and colours with all reference and ties to the original club being

                               removed. The group membership remains the same, but starts to operate under a different name with a different patch.

                               In both these scenarios the original club/chapter will cease to exist.

3.    BAD STANDING

         3.1    The term bad standing emanates from the old school biker traditions and describes a person who has committed a very serious

                  transgression which adversely affects the biker community, e.g. stealing from a fellow biker, etc.

         3.2    Utmost caution should be exercised before a person is placed in bad standing status because this effectively means that the

                  person is banished from the biking community.

         3.3    Care should be taken that this status is not merely allocated to a person as a result of internal club politics or petty in fights

                  between members.

         3.4    Allocation of a status of bad standing should therefore be a well informed decision based on valid facts and merits, WILL be made

                  and recommended to the ECPC by the EC Task Team

         3.5    It is also advisable to rather use the term “undesirable” than bad standing.

4.    PROCESS FOR STARTING A NEW CLUB

         4.1    The period involved to start up a new club is 12 Months and can be divided into 2 phases. The Application and Registration period

                  (3 months) and the Approval and Probation period (9 months).

                   4.1.1    Application and registration period:

                               a) This is compulsory for all new Clubs and club chapters in South Africa.

                               b) Application for registration is made to the EC Task Team and recommended at the ECPC meeting.

                               c) All applications must fulfil the necessary criteria such as proposed club type (MCC/SC/RC), name, full names of

                                   members, particulars of contact person/s and contact details together with an example of the proposed patch, etc.

                               d) No application for registration shall be entertained unless all required information is supplied.

                               e) An application for registration will be suspended until all the necessary information is supplied.

                               f) The new club will submit an application form to the EC Task Team. Upon recommendation the club will attend an ECPC

                                   meeting and the club will be introduced as a prospective new Club to the existing clubs.

                               g) The application will then be circulated amongst governing bodies for a period of three (3) months for

                                    approval/objections.

                               h) Where there is an objection against or a dispute regarding the name, patch, etc, the application will be suspended until

                                    all such objections/disputes have been resolved to the satisfaction of the EC Task Team.

                               i) The 3-month period will then only come into effect on the date upon which the suspension is lifted.

                               j) Where a suspension has been lifted, the application for registration will be re-posted and dealt with as a new

                                   application.

                               k) NO CLUB NAME, PATCH OR ANY CLUB IDENTIFICATION WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE WORN BY ANY OF THE

                                   PROPOSED MEMBERS OF THE PROPOSED NEW CLUB DURING THIS PERIOD.

                               l)   The fact that the application has been made, does not mean an automatic acceptance of the proposed club.

                               m) On registration being accepted after the 3 month period, the EC Task Team will notify the prospective new Club and

                                    the existing clubs the application was successful and the 9 month probation period will start.

                   4.1.2  Probation and approval period

                               a) Upon registration being approved after the 3 month period, the proposed new Club will do a 9 month probation

                                   period.

                               b) IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, THAT ALTHOUGH THE REGISTRATION OF THE NAME AND PROPOSED PATCH HAS

                                   BEEN APPROVED AND REGISTERED, THE CLUB AS SUCH HAS NOT YET BEEN APPROVED.

                               c) During the probation period, the members of the new club will only be allowed to wear a small front patch on the left

                                   side of their waistcoats/jackets and no rockers, depiction of type of club or patch on the back will be allowed. The front

                                   patch is compulsory and serves to identify the club as a new prospecting club in terms of the protocols.

                               d) During the probation period, the new club must attend the ECPC meetings as guests in order to familiarize themselves

                                   with the current situation within the local biking community.

                               e) On proof of having fulfilled all the necessary criteria and requirements in respect of the type of club they wish to

                                   become, the EC Task Team will make a determination at the end of the full term period and allocate them the status for

                                   which they qualify.

                               f) Once approved, the club members will be allowed to progress to wearing a full back patch with all their necessary club

                                   depictions.

                               g) Upon approval by the EC Task Team (MAJORITY VOTE) and acceptance by the ECPC the club will be introduced at the

                                    first meeting of the ECPC following their qualifying date, as having fulfilled the criteria and be allowed to operate as a

                                    fully-fledged club.

5.    NEW CLUB CHAPTERS

         5.1    Starting a new Chapter of a club is a recognized way of expanding the membership base of a club. However, no new Club Chapter

                  will be allowed to open unless it has been recommended and approved by the EC Task Team and accepted by the ECPC.

         5.2    Any Club who wish to open a new Chapter must inform the EC Task Team directly, of their intention before taking the steps to

                  start a new Chapter. A fully motivated proposal shall be presented to the EC Task Team for consideration.

         5.3    New clubs in existence for less than 2 years or still under 9 month probation period won’t be allowed to open new chapters.

         5.4    A new club chapter must also fulfil the minimum criteria applicable to the type of club it constitutes with regard to minimum

                  membership being 6 key holders.

         5.5    A proposed new Club Chapter must present a letter of confirmation from the mother chapter confirming that approval has been

                  granted to form a Chapter. The following information must be submitted to the EC Task Team:

                   5.5.1    The area where the new proposed chapter will be based.

                   5.5.2    The name and contact details of the full patch member/s under whose supervision and guidance the proposed new

                               Chapter will be run.

                               a) The name of each prospective member who will be part of the new Chapter.

                               b) It must also indicate whether any of the proposed new members have been a member of another club before.

                                   Where any such member left another club they will still be subjected to the cooling off period and full particulars of

                                   the club concerned must be disclosed and accompanied by a letter of good standing from the President.

         5.6    The proposed new Club Chapter, if approved by the EC Task Team, will have to go through a probation period before being

                  acknowledged as a Chapter and afforded the right to wear any insignia depicting the area relevant to the ECPC. This probation

                  period will, however, be determined by the EC Task Team in conjunction with the Mother Chapter of the proposed new Chapter

                  but will not be for a period less than 6 months and will be subject to specific criteria regarding supervision, display of colours, etc.

         5.7    The opening of a new Club Chapter will only be considered if at least one of the members of the proposed Chapter is an existing

                  full patch member of the mother Club who is resident or working in the area where the proposed new Chapter is to be opened.

         5.8    For the purpose of the Protocols, a distinction is made between the following methods of starting a new Chapter of an existing

                  Club:

                   5.8.1    A New Chapter to be formed with existing Full Patch members of the mother Club; 

                               No waiting period providing that there are a minimum of 6 (six) fully patched key holders of the existing Club. No persons

                               classified as a hang-around will be considered to enable the prospect Chapter to qualify as a recognized Chapter or the

                               six months waiting period will apply.

                   5.8.2    A New Chapter to be formed as result of a patch-over

                               This is where a whole club or club chapter is closed down thus no longer to be in existence and absorbed into another

                               club or different chapter of the same original club. In such a scenario the members of the club/chapter being closed down

                               are absorbed into the other club/chapter as full members. This normally entails a negotiated process between the

                               relevant parties. No waiting period subject to the provision that there is a minimum of 6 (six) fully patched key holders of

                               the existing Club otherwise a six months waiting period will apply. No persons classified as hang-around will be

                               considered to enable the prospect Chapter to qualify as a recognized Chapter.

                   5.8.3    A New Chapter with new prospect members

                               The chapter will only qualify for recognition as a chapter after having complied with the criteria re key

                               holders/membership relevant to the type of club. Only the chapter will be recognized, as a chapter of the Club for the

                               area it is to be based in, with only the full patch member/s under whose supervision it has been running for the probation

                               period being allowed to wear the club colours with the new area depiction. All other persons who are not fully patched

                               members of the club at the beginning of the new chapter’s probation period, will for the duration of the Chapter’s

                               prospect period, be considered as hang-around. At the end of that period, such persons will not qualify to be patched up

                               as members of the new Chapter, but will first have to fulfil the requirements for membership as per the mother club’s

                               constitution. A minimum period of 6 (six) months subject to the provision that there are a minimum of 6 (six) fully

                                   patched  key holders of the existing Club.

         5.9    Clubs have their own rules regarding the opening of new chapters within their clubs. All clubs need to however adhere to the set

                  guidelines and protocols as a minimum requirement.

6.    NON COMPLIANCE WITH PROTOCOLS

         6.1    Any Individual/Club or Club Chapter not complying with the protocols and/or any requirements which may be stipulated by the

                  EC Task Team will be considered to be in breach of the protocols.

         6.2    Where a Club/Chapter has been found to be in breach of the protocols, that Individual/ Club/Chapter’s full particulars will be

                  published and made available to all existing Clubs affiliated to the ECPC for their information.

         6.3    A Club/Chapter which, or an individual who, has been found to be in breach will not be acknowledged and will automatically be

                  black listed and prevented from attending any biking events within the municipal boundaries of the ECPC until such time as they

                  comply with the protocols.

7.    CHANGE IN CLUB STATUS

         7.1    Where an existing club wants to change its existing status as a club, i.e. to any of the other recognized ones, (SC or RC to a MCC,

                  application has to be made to the EC Task Team in writing who will then consider the application by taking all the criteria and

                  protocols relevant to that specific status into consideration.

         7.2    Any club wishing to change its status to that of an MC must have been in existence and active for a period of 5 years (including

                  the 6-month probation period) before such a status change will be considered. In applying for MC status, letters of

                  recommendation and approval by at least 3 (three) existing (Oldest) and recognized MC’s recognized by the EC Task Team and

                  ECPC must be presented to the EC TASK Team together with proof that the applicant Club fulfils the minimum criteria in terms of

                  the protocols to become a MC. The final decision in this regard rests with the recommendation from the EC Task Team and

                  majority vote from the ECPC.

         7.3    Upon satisfying them that the club fulfils all of the specific criteria relating to the type of Club status applied for, a status change

                  will not be unreasonably denied.

         7.4    The EC Task Team has the right to downgrade a club in status where it is clear that the club has failed or cannot maintain it in

                  terms of the criteria applicable to that club.

         7.5    This will only be done after affording the club a reasonable time to conform, such time period to be decided upon by taking all

                  relevant circumstances of the club in question, into consideration.

         7.6    All status changes must be relayed to the EC Task Team for their information and the necessary changes brought about on the

                  register on mcrsa.org.za

8.    DORMANT CLUBS

         8.1    A Dormant Club as per the Oxford definition of the word “dormant” will for the purpose of the Protocols be considered as a club

                  which has become or been made “temporarily inactive”, for whatever reason. A distinction must be drawn between a dormant

                  club and a club which is proven to have become totally “Inactive” in its functioning as a club, hereafter referred to

                  as a “Dead Club”.

         8.2    A club can become dormant for a variety of reasons such as not having enough members to constitute a Club in terms of the

                  protocols, due to personal, work or any other circumstances of the Club members preventing them to carry on with club activities

                  as per the Club Constitution, etc.

         8.3    Where a Club has become totally inactive in its functioning as a club, it is considered that the club has ceased to exist as a club.

                  (“Dead Club”)

         8.4    A Dormant Club can be made active again at any time within the 12-month period subject to the following criteria:

                  a) That it be made active by the same members of the club who made it dormant;

                  b)    That the Club complies with the Protocols.

         8.5    A Club is considered to cease to exist automatically where it has been dormant for a period of 12 months or longer or where the

                  club members as a whole are patched over to another existing Club, but can also cease to exist through a decision of the Club

                  members to disband the Club or where the Club is “closed down” through a decision of the EC Task Team where it is found that

                  the further existence of that Club would be to the detriment of the local biking community as a whole.

         8.6    With the exception of a Club which has been “closed down” as referred to above, a “dead Club” can be revived again.

         8.7    The revival of a “dead Club” will, however, be dealt with on the same basis as a new club in terms of the protocols.

         8.8    Where a club is found to be dormant or judged to be a “dead Club”, the registration of that Club, i.e. the name and patch, will

                  remain on the Register of Clubs (MCRSA) but with an indication of its status.

9.    GUIDELINES REGARDING TYPES OF CLUBS

         9.1    Motorcycle Club (MC)

                  a) A proper ranking structure usually consisting of a President, Vice President, Sergeant at Arms, Road Captains and Secretary.

                  b) Must have a constitution.

                  c) Minimum licensed riders (key holders): – 6 (each with own bike).

                  d) No patch holders/members under the age of 18.

                  e) Minimum hang around period: – 3 months (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  f) Minimum prospect period: – 12 months (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  g) Minimum bike capacity: – 600 cc.

                  h) Colours must be approved and registered.

                  i) Minimum period for any new club to become an MC: – 5 years from date of qualifying as a MCC club)

                  j) MC status to be approved by a minimum of 3 existing senior (Oldest) MC’s in conjunction with the EC Task Team

                  k) Traditionally, this patch is a three piece (top rocker, patch, bottom rocker), but there are exceptions. The acronym ‘MC’ is clearly

                      displayed.

         9.2    Motorcycle Club (MCC)

                  a) A proper ranking structure usually consisting of a President, Vice President, Sergeant at Arms, Road Captains and Secretary.

                  b) Must have a constitution.

                  c) Minimum licensed riders (key holders): – 6 (each with own bike).

                  d) No patch holders/members under the age of 18.

                  e) Minimum hang around period: – 3 months (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  f) Minimum prospect period: – 12 months (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  g) Minimum bike capacity: – 600 cc.

                  h) Colours must be approved and registered.

                  i) This patch is usually a two piece, but it can also be a one or three-piece patch. The acronym ‘MCC’ is clearly displayed.

         9.3    RC: (Riding Club)

                  a) Must have a set of basic club rules or constitution.

                  b) No patch holders/members under the age of 18.

                  c) Minimum licensed riders (key holders): – 6 (each with own bike).

                  d) Minimum hang around period: – 1 month (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  e) Minimum prospect period: – 3 months (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  f) Minimum bike capacity: – 400 cc.

                  g) Colours must be approved and registered.

                  h) This is a two piece, or a one-piece patch. The acronym ‘RC’ is clearly displayed.

         9.4    SC/SMC (Social/Family Club)

                  a) Must have a set of basic club rules or constitution.

                  b) Minimum hang around period: – 1 month (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  c) Minimum prospect period: – 3 months (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  d) Minimum licensed riders (key holders): – 6 (club to decide in terms of Constitution).

                  e) Minimum Bike capacity: – 250 cc.

                  f) Colours must be approved and registered.

                  g) This patch is a one-piece patch. The acronym ‘SC’ or ‘SMC’ must be clearly displayed

         9.5    Fraternal Motorcycle Clubs and Interest groups

                  a) A Fraternal Motorcycle Club is in essence, a group of people joined together by common interests, beliefs and virtues to

                      preserve the excellence of their fraternity, and of the community in which they live and function, such as Law Enforcement,

                      Military, Fire Fighting, Religion/ Ministry, etc.

                  b) This patch is a one-piece patch.

                  c) Colours must be approved and registered

         9.6    LEMC (Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club)

                  a) A Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club referred to as LEMC or in short LE, being a club which is structured to accommodate

                      serving – as well as ex-members of the Law Enforcement fraternity (Police, Metro Police, Traffic Police) who share an interest in

                      motorcycles, irrespective of the basis of its membership or affiliation, must also comply with all the protocols pertaining to

                      motorcycle clubs in the ECPC.

                  b) For the purpose of these protocols, a LEMC/LE shall be considered as being on the same level as a RC and must therefore fulfil

                      the same criteria as applicable to a RC.

         9.7    Motorcycle Ministry (MMC/MM)

                  a) Motorcycle Ministries are clubs where the members are either members of the same church group or religious background

                      sharing common ground in spreading the gospel as per their religion and must also comply with all the protocols pertaining to

                      motorcycle clubs within the boundaries of the ECPC.

                  b) For the purpose of these protocols, a MMC/MM shall be considered as being on the same level as a SC/SMC and must

                      therefore fulfil the same criteria as applicable to a SC/SMC.

                  c) A Motorcycle Ministry can never be an MC/MCC.

         9.8    Brand Clubs/ Associations

                  a) Groups/Associations which are formed to accommodate members riding the same brand/type of motorcycles, are also

                      classified as Fraternal Clubs for the purpose of the protocols and are as such also subject to the protocols pertaining to

                      motorcycle clubs within the municipal boundaries of the Local Motorcycling Governing Body.

                  b) Harley Owners group (HOG), the Blackbird Association, Ducati Owners Group, etc. are examples of such groups.

                  c) This patch is a one-piece patch.

                  d) Can never be an MC or MCC.

                  e) Colours must be approved and registered

10.   EASTERN CAPE TASK TEAM

         10.1   Objective:  Assist new starting clubs with the proper Protocols until Full Patch

         10.2   Mandate:

                   Regulate and manage new clubs:

                   a) Patch Design

                   b) Constitution

                   c) Vetting of members

                   d) Protocol i.e. “Prospecting”, General Behaviour, Conduction club meetings

         10.3    Chapter/Charter start up:

                    a) Correct Protocols and procedures are followed.

                    b)    Liaise with mother Chapter.

         10.4    Composition of Task Team:

                    a) 6 – 8 Members from all different clubs i.e. MCC, MC

                    b) Members must have extensive knowledge of Biking/ Club Protocols

                    c)    Member of recognised club (in EC)

                    d) Have and Ride his motorcycle.

         10.5    Report to:

                     Task Team to report on club statuses on a monthly basis to the ECPC.