Our Back Patch is at the core of our Organization. It represents us to the world. And it's represented to the world on our Cuts. How that gets displayed and handled ... is an interesting one. Opinions are all over the spectrum on this. Multiple forum discussions on it. Comes up often at Chapter Levels. And there are SOPs that even touch on the subject at various levels. But, as always .. I've got an opinion.
Minimalist or All in? Me personally, I'm somewhere in between. My current Cut has been with me since 2017 when I was preparing to patch in with the CVMA. It's a high quality heavier leather vest I got out at the Motorcycle Outpost in Westminster. I've seen a few since that are much lighter. Some are different materials so they can 'breath' and are cooler in our hot summer months. Either way, this is my Cut and ... it shows the wear and tear of riding tens of thousands of miles. In the heat, I sweat like a pig and my vest is proof with all the 'salt' it soaks up giving it a really weathered look. I wipe it down often to 'clean' the salt off it, but it needs a lil more love. I've got some Doc Baileys to clean it up and dye it a lil; thats my next project ... maybe give it some life ... revive it a lil.
But that's not the point of this post. Minimailist or All in? What belongs on the Cut? In your face or Low key with blacked out patches?
A big subject that always comes up is ... a setup where the entire chapter has a template of sorts to wear it the same way. Hell, the entire Association the same way. you know, Chapter patch in this spot, RoadName in that spot, US Flag top left, etc, etc, etc Again, this ain't going to fly no matter what mine or other's opinions are on the subject. One read through the forum on this subject and it's eveident why. We are not an MC; we are an association. And if anyone thinks they get get that By Law Change in place .. well .. go for it. What about the thousands that would be grandfathered in? What do you do about the few that would flip the bird and say fuck no? Is the Chapter going to pay to put them on or change them up?
Me personally, I believe we should have a set standard on the layout. If nothing else, a guideline of sorts for new members when they start to lay out the basic patch(es) arrangments. I've started to put one together, then get side tracked. I've got a second cut I'm working on for special events, etc (pristine and minamilist) but always seem to get side tracked. Mostly blacked out patches except for the Back Patch. Before I get everything sewn on though, I'm going to create the template to work off and nudge it towards newbies as an example when questions get asked.
But the fact of the matter is .. there is no set template/layout. IMHO, there will never be. But, can't hurt to try? I've seen a few chapters out that have a pretty 'clean' layout. Hopefully .... our Chapter can get there eventually
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