draft charter revisions

1) A MATTER OF STYLE

While all bikes are welcome at the So Cal RatRod Ride, prospective members must have a custom, cruiser, rat rod, or classic bicycle.  Roadies, fixies, mountain, or BMX bikes are all great fun, but not well suited for our type of riding. They are just not our style.

2) RESPONSIBILITIES

Etiquette

A) Club members are expected to  ride in a safe and courteous manner. Our riders should always obey basic rules of the road and be polite, and respectful of pedestrians, and other cyclists. Stay to the right. Don't hog both lanes of a bike path. Please, no cat-calling.

B) Always make visiting riders welcome.  People often drive great distances to participate in our events. Let them know we appreciate their effort.

C) Gossip. We are all human, and subject to all the faults and foibles of being human. Interpersonal relations are always a part of our everyday conversations. We must, however, draw a line between exchanging the news of the day, and getting involved in interpersonal disputes. No one is expected to like everybody. Nonetheless, never, under any circumstances, should a member of RatRod Riders B/C publicly voice a disparaging comment about another club, or another club's, members. Keep it to yourself.

D) Conflicts. We understand that conflicts may occur regardless of our efforts to avoid them. In all cases, Members are expected to exercise restraint, and behave in a civil manner. Failure to do so may result in a loss of membership.

E) Maintenance. Members are expected to keep their machines in good working order. Breakdowns, and flats can happen to anyone, but they happen less often to people who take care of their bikes.

3) ATTENDANCE

We stress the importance of attendance in the path to membership. It is more important for patch holding members. Membership may be suspended, or cancelled for lack of participation. However, it sometimes happens that a member's work schedule changes and hampers regular participation in our rides and events.  Illness, family trouble, and other unavoidable stuff may also interfere. In any such case, simply let the club know.

5) MEMBERSHIP

How to become a member


 Ratrod Riders Bicycle Club has two phases of membership: Friend of the Club, and Full Patch Member.

 Friend of the Club

  First phase membership, or Friend of the Club is for those who regularly attend and support the So Cal RatRod ride, held every second Saturday of the month.  Prospective riders may be eligible for first phase membership after completing a minimum of three consecutive So Cal RatRod rides.  Friend of the Club status may also be extended on an honorary basis to members of other clubs as a gesture of friendship and solidarity. First phase members may wear our members' T-shirt bearing the single rat logo. Riders may apply for Friend of the Club status by making a request to any member of the patch holding council.

  Full Patch Membership

 Our first order of business is the So Cal RatRod Ride, but as a club we are involved in much more than the second Saturday ride. We frequently hold a "Roadshow" ride, usually on the fourth Saturday. We are also part of the greater O.B.C. family. We have close ties to many other clubs and riding groups. Just as riders from other clubs come out to participate in our events, our patch holding members are out almost every weekend supporting our friends, and representing RatRod Riders B/C in other venues. This means a lot of time on the road.
 The second  phase (Full Patch Member) requires regular participation in both our home-based, and traveling rides. The most important qualification for riders seeking Full Patch Membership is attendance.   Full Patch Membership is granted by approval of the patch holding council. 

First phase (Friend of the Club) members may be eligible for  patch membership after a minimum of six months of regular participation. These members may wear the official club T shirt, and the "Rollin' on Easy" rocker on a blue denim vest.

  Full patch membership may be awarded by the patch holding council at any time following the interim (rocker) phase. Full patch members wear our embroidered patch set on a  blue denim vest, and the full circle logo and rocker on a silk screened T shirt.

SPECIAL CASES
It may happen that we get a request for member from someone who wishes to leave a currently established club and come on board with RatRod Riders B/C. This should be handled on a case by case basis.We may, with approval of the patch holding council, fast-track someone whom we all know well. On the other hand, if a rider is involved in personality disputes, or other squabbles in one club, it is likely that he'll bring them along to ours. Again, this will be handled on a case by case basis.