Mission Statement
We believe in one God, the Father the Almighty. We believe in Jesus Christ His only Son as our Lord and Savior. Through His sacrifice our sins have been forgiven and in so doing we have been called to fight in the war against the enemy. We serve no other purpose, person, philosophy, thing, government or power. It is our mission to bring the word of God through ministry and testimony to any and all motorcycle club members who seek it, veterans, independents and any other individuals or groups to whom God leads us. To plant the seeds of faith in the hearts of men and women whenever and wherever we can. We give our solemn oath as Ascendants to lift up the fallen, the children, the helpless, the homeless, the lost, the last and the least of society so that through us as his soldiers they may witness the hand of God through our humble works. Together with the Holy Spirit guiding us, through study and prayer we will seek to further the kingdom of God. Where He leads we will follow. We will ride together as brothers in His glory, conducting ourselves according to His word. We will lead by example as Christians in our families, our club and our societies.
Our colors are wine which represents the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ who gave his life to save us from our sins, and black which represents our brothers and how we have ascended up from the darkness to live our lives in the light of God our Father. Our patch represents the armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Officer Responsibilities
Executive board
The Executive Board members are responsible for:
Oversight of the organization, ensuring all chapters maintain consistency within the bylaws.
To maintain the club by-laws, recording any additions, deletions, or modifications.
Officers
Being elected an officer is an honor. You have been chosen by your brothers to represent their ideals and lead them in the best way possible according to your office. However, this is something that should not be taken lightly. Holding an office is very exciting but it also requires a great deal of responsibility. Responsibility to God, yourself and your club. The by-laws are designed to offer you assistance in maintaining the daily operations of your office as well as outlining your responsibilities to the club.
Listed under each office are duties you are required to uphold. As an officer it is your responsibility to represent the club in a manner that is exemplary to all other members. Officers not adhering to club rules and regulations or failing to uphold the duties of office will relinquish their officer responsibilities. In order to be considered for officer status one must be a full patch member for no less than 1 year unless approved by Executive Board.
Chapter Officers
Chapter officers are responsible for:
Weekly, monthly and annual functions and activity decisions to keep the club rooted in where we are and to build goals for where we are going through prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
The presentation of summarized assessments of the overall club situation to the membership.
Motioning the voting in of and evaluation of prospects/hang arounds and their progress.
Motioning the voting in of new members.
The monitoring of conflicts within the club.
The application of disciplinary procedures where necessary.
President
The duties of the President are as follows:
To preside over and delegate meetings of the club as a whole.
To judge items not covered in the mission statement.
Directorship gives the President authority to judge items not in the by-laws.
To act as the personal representative of the club in the area of public relations; as a liaison between the club members and local law enforcement agencies if necessary; and as a connecting link between the Ascendants MC and other motorcycle clubs.
To represent the club in any club business contacts and to supervise economic transactions.
To assist Ascendants MC officers in the interpretation of their club responsibilities, and to promote Christian club life among members in general.
Vice-President
The duties of the Vice-President are as follows:
The Vice-President shall assist in all the President's duties.
The Vice-President shall coordinate all committees and supervise plans for all club events.
The Vice-President shall act as an intermediary between the President and the members and prospects. All questions or comments concerning any club business not specifically related to the duties of the other officers should be brought directly to his attention.
The Vice-President is the second-in-command to the President, and shall assume all responsibilities and duties of the President in his absence.
Secretary
The duties of the Secretary are as follows:
To record and safeguard the minutes of the club meetings.
To handle any club correspondence.
To represent the club in any club business contacts and to supervise economic transactions.
Making and keeping all club chapter records. Membership list, rules of order, standing rules, records of all committee appointments, all written reports, copies of all correspondence between the club and any outside person or organization.
Calling roll at the meetings. The Secretary must notify active members of special or emergency meetings, and must notify all the members of any appointments or elections in their absence.
Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer are as follows:
Collect dues owed and keep all the funds of the club chapter.
Keep all un-issued club colors and patches, as well as a record of colors, patches, or reproductions thereof issued to members. Collect monies at current production rate for new patch sets of new members within 30 days of being voted in.
Disburse funds to pay expenses as prescribed in the by-laws.
Keep an accurate record of all income and expenses. He is required to report the fiscal status of the club at each regular meeting for the information of the members. He must submit a written annual report to the Executive Board at the annual meeting.
road captain
The duties of the Road Captain are as follows:
To plan the travel routes and organize the basic itinerary of the club prior to going on a "run".
To lead the club in formation while riding on tour.
To enforce club rules and procedures for group riding.
Inspect all motorcycles for road worthiness prior to the run commencing and having the authority to deny participation.
During actual time on the road or at intermediate stops during a run, he shall act as the ranking club officer, deferring only to the President or Vice-President if either of them are present, and only then for matters involving persons outside the club.
Sergeant at Arms
The duties of the Sergeant at Arms are as follows:
Ensuring that the bylaws and standing rules of the club are not violated.
Insure that the orders of the Executive Board are carried out in an expeditious manner.
Policing and keeping order at all club events, except as noted under the duties of the President. SAA may conscript members to aid in keeping order on their own authority. SAA has the responsibility to the club to report any unseemly behavior or incident to the Executive Board.
Secure any patches or colors from any member who retires, resigns, or is expelled.
The SAA is responsible for the safety and security of the club, as well as the protection and defense of its members and prospects.
Keep and maintain a record of all data pertinent to the safety and security of the club and its members and prospects. Upon becoming aware of any real or perceived threat to the club, its members, prospects, or events, he shall immediately notify the Executive Board of that information.
To peacefully defend club members or property from outside threats using violence only as a last resort.
Chaplain
The duties of the Chaplain are as follows:
The Chaplain is an adviser to the officers to assist in maintaining a positive image of the club and its active members.
The Chaplain is responsible for conducting marriages, funerals and dedications upon the request of members and families of members.
The Chaplain must be available to provide any form of counseling upon the request of any member and to be held in confidence unless posing a threat to the club or its members.
The Chaplain will pray for and nurture the spiritual growth, guidance and protection of the club as a whole and its members.
The Chaplain will conduct prayer before all club meetings, rides and functions.
The Chaplain will serve as a spiritual liaison between Ascendants MC and any other MC club that needs or asks for help.
Members
All members will be actively seeking a relationship with God through church, Bible study or fellowship. They will have a running motorcycle, registered and insured capable of maintaining speeds for local, highway and interstate travel. All members are required to actively participate in all meetings, rides and events set forth by the Ascendants MC unless for valid reason they are unable to attend (sick, work, vacation, family etc.). Excessive nonattendance will be reviewed by the chapter officers for validity and member status review.
Members will conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner. Members will at all times seek to bring the word of God to all those around them. Members will not consume alcoholic beverages, use any kind of illegal drugs, use foul language or gestures, or take the Lord's name in vain while wearing Ascendants MC colors. Members will hold all other members accountable for their actions while wearing Ascendants MC colors. Members will try to avoid any situations that will result in violence of any kind. If violence is unavoidable and only as a last resort, it will be met swiftly and concisely by all members present.
Members attending other MC functions must be accompanied by at least one other member. All members will have equal voting rights unless otherwise specified in the by-laws. Any member wishing to reproduce any Ascendants MC colors in any way, i.e. tattoos, shirts, hats etc., must have permission from the Executive Board prior to production. Members who resign or are expelled from the club will forfeit their colors and all club property (including covering tattoos).
Although lifetime membership is preferred, members in good standing who wish to retire from the club must forfeit their colors and all club property unless voted honorary status by the Executive Board. Honorary members will only be allowed to wear their colors at Ascendants MC events and will not retain any office or voting rights.
Prospects
In order to become an active member of the Ascendants MC with the privilege of wearing the club colors, an interested person must first become a Hang Around. Once the Hang Around time has been met and the candidate has been unanimously voted in as a Prospect, the following must be met and maintained:
All Prospects will be actively seeking a relationship with God through church, Bible study or fellowship with their sponsor. Prospects must be at least 21 years old. They will have a running motorcycle, registered and insured capable of maintaining speeds for local, highway and interstate travel. Under the supervision of their sponsor, the Prospect will be guided in living a life in accordance with the requirements and by-laws of the club and in what is fitting for living a Christ-like life. The Prospect shall study and know the club by-laws and attend all official meetings and rides sponsored by the Ascendants MC unless excused for a valid reason determined by the club President or Sergeant at Arms (sick, work, vacation, family etc.). Excessive nonattendance will be reviewed by the chapter officers and full patch holders for validity and continued Prospect status.
Prospect stands for Prospective Member; only names and Prospect patches will be worn on the front and top rocker on the back of the cut while prospecting. At the end of the prospecting period, no less than 6 months, all full patch members in good standing will vote on the Prospect status. It must be a unanimous vote by all full patch members, in good standing, to be accepted as a new full patch member into the club.
Hang Around
In order to become a Prospect of the Ascendants MC with the privilege of earning the club colors, an interested person must make a request to an active member. The prospective candidate will be invited to a club meeting for an interview. The chapter will hold a private vote for acceptance. It must be a unanimous vote to be accepted as a Hang Around into the club. If accepted, the Hang Around will be assigned a sponsor. Under the supervision of their sponsor, the Hang Around will be guided in living a life in accordance with the requirements and by-laws of the club and in what is fitting for living a Christ-like life and how to conduct themselves in the MC world.
Hang Arounds must meet the following qualifications: All Hang Arounds will be actively seeking a relationship with God through church, Bible study or fellowship with their sponsor. Hang Arounds must be at least 21 years old and possess a valid motorcycle license. They will have a running motorcycle, registered and insured capable of maintaining speeds for local, highway and interstate travel. At the end of the Hang Around period, no less than 3 months, the Hang Around will be eligible for prospective status.
Meetings
The club holds scheduled mandatory meetings both monthly and annually. Emergency meetings can be called if a situation arises that demands immediate attention. Meetings will be conducted/chaired by the President or assigned member. If the President is unavailable, the chair will follow the chain of command. Meetings will be conducted following "Roberts Rules" adhering to parliamentary procedures. All eligible members in good standing and in attendance can exercise their voting rights at all meetings. Motions will carry by majority vote unless specified by the Executive Board.
Dues
Dues in the amount of $50.00 per month will be collected at the first meeting of each month. The Treasurer will collect, record, and keep collected dues. The treasury will be divided equally into two segments unless otherwise specified, Club Funds and God's Pocket. Club Funds will be used for club expenses. God's Pocket will be used to further His Kingdom. God's Pocket will be voted on by all members as to the usage of that fund.
Discipline
All club discipline will be handled by that chapter's officers. This will include necessary action regarding a warning, probation, or expulsion (stripping of colors). Warning means a club member has been given notice from the chapter officers and needs to immediately correct the offense. Probation means a club member has been forbidden to wear his colors to anything but a club meeting. The probation period will be determined by the chapter officers and must be a minimum of 1 month and no longer than 1 year. Probation members must attend all club functions but are not permitted to vote. At the end of the probation period, the chapter officers will determine if the member is to be reinstated or removed from membership. An expelled member will be required to return all Ascendant MC colors, T-shirts, hats, pins, and any other club property collected by the Sergeant at Arms.
Disciplinary action will be in the form of:
First offense - $50.00 fine and a warning.
Second offense - $100.00 fine and member is placed on probation (if an officer receives a second offense, he will relinquish his officer responsibilities). Chapter leaders will seek counsel from the Executive Board.
Third offense - Chapter leaders will take it to the Executive Board for final decision.
Rules Of The Road
All members will be required to have a valid motorcycle license and obey all state and local driving laws. When riding solo in pairs or in a pack, members are required to ride in a manner that is respectable to other patrons on the roadway. No weaving in and out of traffic or excessive speeding. When riding in a pack, all members are required to stay in formation and remain in the pack for the duration of the ride. Any members not adhering to the rules of the road will be subject to disciplinary actions as stated above.
Ride formation will be as follows:
Road Captain
President
Vice President
Officers
Members
Prospects
Hang Arounds
Guests
Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms assists the Road Captain on all runs. He rides at the very rear of the motorcycle formation and enforces all safety rules of the ride. The Sergeant at Arms is second in command to the Road Captain or the next ranking officer in the event the Road Captain is not present. The Sergeant at Arms provides eyes in the rear of the formation. He rides in an area so that motorists can see the formation of the entire club and is observant of riders' conduct or road hazards that need reporting to the Road Captain when it is safe to do so. When the group is on a run and is getting ready to make a lane change, the Sergeant at Arms changes lanes first on a signal from the Road Captain, then the Road Captain in the front, followed by the group. This keeps the group in its formation and allows them all to change lanes safely and together so motorists do not split the group up. In the event the Road Captain is not present, the order will fall to the next ranking officer.
Social Media
Placing "Ascendants MC” behind your name by fully patched members on social media is acceptable and encouraged to elicit conversation into our mission. Members who exercise this right must remember your actions reflect on the entire body of the club. Any postings other than those that would be considered respectable by your brothers and our Father in Heaven will be frowned upon and could result in disciplinary actions. Any postings with foul language, gestures, and actions will be immediately removed. Pictures of club colors will be in cuts at functions only; do not blast our colors all over the internet. We are a Christian MC, and to humbly adhere to our mission statement, members will be held accountable for their actions on social media whether showing ties to the club or not.
Chapters
The governing body of the club as a whole will be the Executive Board. Individual chapters will govern themselves with oversight from the Executive Board. Individual chapters will adhere to the mission statement, by-laws, and officer responsibilities set forth in this document. Individual chapters' officers will attend founding chapter meetings with the founding chapter no less than 3 times per year for in-state chapters and 2 times per year for out-of-state chapters. All chapters and members must attend the annual meeting