Simple. Send us an E-mail at ContactUs@SamaritanRiders.org and ask for an information packet.
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We are NOT a Motorcycle Club in the traditional “MC” sense. The SAMARITAN Riders are a motorcycle riding charitable organization who is community oriented and proud to consider ourselves good citizens! We are accountable to the Washington Secretary of State and the IRS at the end of the year.
We believe in the freedom of the road and apply ourselves to the "Give Respect - Get Respect" and "Live & Let Ride" principles of motorcycling. There are Rules for Conduct and common sense Rider Etiquette that must be adhered to ensure the organizations' integrity, and to provide for the safe travel of our members.
At no time will the SAMARITAN Riders of Washington support activities outside of the law or be responsible for any individual members' action(s) which may result in the civil litigation and or criminal prosecution against them.
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No. We are NOT a Motorcycle Ministry, nor are we a Christian Ministry. We, as an organization, welcome ALL religions. It is a fact that most all religions promote "goodwill towards man" which is the basis on which this organization was founded.
We speak of "Faith" in general terms, and leave it open to individual interpretation. We cited the Biblical Story of the Samaritan as an example of what we were taught as children – “Do unto others"… What little scripture we have quoted on our homepage just as well could have been Confucius quotes and/or Karma irony in regards to "what goes around - comes around" - Whatever message is demonstrated through our actions as “Do Gooders” is to provide hope for some and inspire others the "lend a hand" to those in their community who are less fortunate.
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Short answer: You don't.
Long answer:
Some people need or want more. The SAMARITAN Riders is a charitable organization of dedicated motorcyclists who join together for camaraderie, strength in numbers to do good, and peer group acceptance to accomplish shared vision. Specific to the SROWA; many people wish to volunteer their time and services but do not know how to go about doing so, or even what opportunities are out there.
For some, it is an opportunity to give back to their community or to specifically help those less fortunate than they. Others wish to demonstrate their support for this cause, or that event that they themselves find important and/or personally satisfying. Still others like the sense of belonging to something that is greater than any one individual...Even if you never once volunteer for a charitable event or honorary mission - But instead choose to ride the big rides...There is pride associated with explaining the premise behind the patch you wear, the role of SROWA in the community, and the efforts of our members to be good citizens - neighbors helping neighbors.
SROWA’s business is to provide its riders a variety of opportunities to choose which events are to their individual likings. When you share common interests with another rider, it is easier to step up to a task. We provide no individual pressure to do this - which is one of our biggest selling points. Lastly...There are no words to explain the feelings of unity you have when riding in a line of patched riders on the highway, or rolling side by side in a parade. It is like family...No - It is family.
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Yes. The SAMARITAN Riders have Auxiliary Members, which are non riders, such as spouses of members and support members. They are subject to the same non-refundable application fee of $15.00 which is separate from their initial dues of $100.00 to cover the cost of their SROWA Back Patch ™ (should they decide to wear one). Their Annual Membership Due is a set $10.00.
Unlike their riding counterparts, the Auxiliary Members have no minimum participation expectations and therefore do not have voting rights. Auxiliary Members who later purchase motorcycles will be expected to pay the difference between non-rider and rider status fees and dues, and will then be eligible for office and voting privileges.
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The term "Chapters" lends to the impression that the SAMARITAN Riders are a territorial claiming organization, which in itself would be contradictory to our statements that we are a non-territorial organization. This in turn could fuel the fire for argument of anyone who takes issue with our organization.
There is a process in place for our organizations growth based upon the Give Respect - Get Respect principle. It is an time intensive and money expensive screening process that is designed to ensure that our organization maintains its structural integrity by recruiting only those with the purest intentions for our mission success.
The first step in this process involves establishing an interested pool in a geographical area. Specifically, we require a minimum of 5 riders who need to contact us with their interest and intentions in their riding area. They need to provide us with all of their pertinent contact information (Name, DOB, Address, phone number and e-mail. We will send them an application for probationary membership for them to fill out and return with the $15 non-refundable administration fee.
Second is selecting the right persons committed to the goals and principles of the SROWA organization who are willing to carry it forward. After the review of the probationary membership applications and necessary background checks, we will invite the interested parties to attend a meet and greet with our membership. Based upon those encounters, the Master Charter BOD may extend conditional membership to those still interested in our organization. As "new originals" each interested conditional member has the opportunity to lay the foundation for a local riding charitable group of their own. Each will pay $200 to be held in our account, and again, we require a minimum of 5 interested parties to continue this process of screening and growth. The Master Charter BOD will select 3 as potential officers.
Third is to approach the local dominant in that area with our intentions to serve the underprivileged in their perspective community through a process of diplomacy and mutual understanding, Respect and acceptance. Without an initial acceptance of our presence, SROWA will not patch a distant charitable riding group citing our Respects for the local dominant. If accepted to the local area as non-territorial Do-Gooders, the Master Charter BOD will appoint a Vice President, who in turn may select his own site SAA and Secretary/Treasurer, all of whom will will be oriented to their roles and responsibilities within the organization. If not accepted, the conditional membership will have their $200 refunded and there may be other SROWA opportunities for them depending on our reception with the local dominant.
Currently we have slow growing interest lists in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Yakima and Spokane Counties. If you live in any of these counties, contact us and we will put you in touch with a perspective riding group. Preferably, we would like you to participate in and have an understanding of how the SROWA-OKCO Master Charter operates. If you live outside of the commuting distance to the Okanogan County Master Charter, but demonstrate that you are committed to the SROWA goals and principles - You may well be on your way to establishing your own SROWA local charitable riding group.
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Over the course of 2009, we have made every attempt to set the record straight regarding our intentions for our forming and clearly delineated ourselves from the "traditional MC world" - We believe that we have done this with humility and respect.
We have repeatedly expressed our openness for two-way communication, guidance and mentoring to ensure the success of our organization. SROWA prefers diplomacy over dirty deeds and part of diplomacy is being able to agree to disagree, and leaving it at that. Having done so, we are setting the boundaries for the mutual respect that every organization deserves in their pursuit of life, liberty and happiness on the highways. As of 2010 we will have zero tolerance for this lifestyle being forced upon us.
Individually, our business logo, the SAMARITAN Riders Back Patch™, its modifications, and other club issued name tags are valued at ~ $930.00. When you add the cost of the individuals leather vest that sports them, the value exceeds $1,000.00. Any involuntary forfeiture of our trademarked property will be viewed as a crime perpetrated against our Non Profit Organization. We will report such events to the proper authority and shall pursue legal actions accordingly on behalf of the victimized member - without consideration for their input to do otherwise.
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There is an initial application fee of $15.00. This fee is nonrefundable and is not inclusive of the initial dues. This is an administrative fee and it covers the costs of the initial mailing of the application, SASE return envelope and orientation packet. It may also be utilized to perform a background check at the discretion of the SROWA-OKCO Master at Arms. When invited for General Membership, new members are expected to pay an initial due of $150.00 for Riders status or $100.00 for Auxiliary (non-rider) membership should they choose to wear a patch. This will go into a general fund that will cover the costs of outfitting the new member with the SROWA Back Patch ™ and misc. front patches.
The SAMARITAN Riders offer the following discount incentives for “riders groups” who wish to join:
- A $25.00 initial dues discount per member in a group of 5-9 prospective members.
- A $50.00 initial dues discount per member in a group of 10 or more prospective members.
Beyond that, Freedom is not free… And neither is membership. The Annual Membership Dues will be collected before the first of each New Year. These dues will be applied to paying the anticipated club overhead as reported annually by the SROWA-OKCO Treasurer. The annual Membership dues shall be set by the SROWA-OKCO Master Charter Board of Directors and may be revised at the regular annual budgeting meeting according to the Board of Directors By Laws. Ideally as the membership grows, the annual dues will decrease until they reach a minimum annual due of $25.00 per riding member.
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There are minimum, but flexible expectations of participation to keep ones membership current. Our members are asked to attend 50% of the scheduled General Membership Meetings and Scheduled Club Rides as their schedules and priorities allow. While we would like to see 100% participation for any charitable event – we understand that is unrealistic. For these events and or missions…ANY participation is appreciated.
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Life happens, and the SAMARITAN Riders understand this. Requests for extended leaves of absence (LOA) should be addressed to the Master Charter or Local Chapter Vice President. Once approved for a LOA, individuals’ appointments, office, position and participation is placed on a hold status without penalty or repercussion for 1 year – provided that they are able to pay the minimum annual membership dues of $10 on time and in full in order to maintain their membership.
General Members / Sponsored Probates who are frequently absent from scheduled meetings (without prior communication of those absences), chronically inactive with community missions, or in default of club membership fees will be considered as having self resigned and recommendation will put in front of the SROWA-OKCO Board of Directors for their probation or, at worst, expulsion.
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At no time will the SAMARITAN Riders of Washington organization be responsible for any injuries and or accidents that occur while on a Scheduled Ride, Charitable Event or Honorary Mission.
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Absolutely NOT! Although we are an AMA Social Charter and Washington State Non Profit Charitable Organization – There are “rules of the road” and trespasses which may put the integrity of the organization and safety of its members at risk. We can not afford to allow rogue patches to be traveling the road and possibly jeopardizing the networks of Respect and acceptance that we have strived to establish and diligently maintain.
Any member who was issued a SAMARITAN Riders Back Patch™ understands that it is the business logo for our organization and will remain the trademarked property of the SAMARITAN Riders of Washington State – Okanogan County (WaOKCO) Master Charter, and as such, will be returned to the organization upon any members’ voluntary departure or involuntary expulsion.
ORIGINAL Members, Centurion and Millennium Club Members who wish to donate $50.00 to the SROWA general fund will be gifted the property rights of their well worn SAMARITAN Riders Back Patch™.
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