Nomad (motorcycle-club membership)
Encyclopedia
A Nomad in an outlaw motorcycle club
has authority delegated by the National President to enforce club rules and behavior.
Most club members wear a territorial rocker (i.e., the bottom patch on the back of the jacket) which signifies what city/locale, state, or province their chapter is located in. A Nomad's territorial rocker, however, will simply say "Nomad". This means that they hold no particular allegiance to a specific club chapter, but should be respected and accepted clubwide. For example, if the National President had a problem with a specific club chapter, he might dispatch a group of Nomads to visit the chapter. The Nomads would then observe the chapter and advise the members of any problems the National President may have. If the infractions were not corrected, the Nomads might then have the authority to correct the problem.
However, this authority to direct chapters is not accepted by all. Whilst a Nomad does have the right to be hosted by any chapter where he appears, he cannot direct a chapter. Winterhalder (2005) reports that, in 1997, the Bandidos
' national group sent a Nomad to the Oklahoma chapter to "make sure...[it] understood the Bandido way". However, his presence was resented by President Winterhalder, and an argument with the national president ensued over the role of the Nomad. The right of the chapter to act as an autonomous unit, within the rules of the Bandidos club, is stressed by Winterhalder.
Nomads sometimes live in geographical areas which had fewer than the required numbers to form a chapter. They may have chosen to live somewhat solitary lives, or they may have been sent to an area with a mandate to establish a chapter. Strangely though, the Hells Angels
Australia chapter is also known as Nomads, although they wear the "Australia" bottom rocker.
Since the Nomads are not official members of a specific club chapter, they must be received, housed, and fed by any chapter where they may currently be located. They are essentially members of all chapters.
In Australia, a Nomads Motorcycle Club exists in its own right. They are less known than other clubs, but do have a significant presence in the press as an outlaw motorcycle club engaged in allegedly illegal activities. Even though it is not believed, according to Veno (2004), that the Nomads are one of the five most significant outlaw motorcycle clubs in Australia, its negative presence in the press is undoubted.
Outlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
has authority delegated by the National President to enforce club rules and behavior.
Most club members wear a territorial rocker (i.e., the bottom patch on the back of the jacket) which signifies what city/locale, state, or province their chapter is located in. A Nomad's territorial rocker, however, will simply say "Nomad". This means that they hold no particular allegiance to a specific club chapter, but should be respected and accepted clubwide. For example, if the National President had a problem with a specific club chapter, he might dispatch a group of Nomads to visit the chapter. The Nomads would then observe the chapter and advise the members of any problems the National President may have. If the infractions were not corrected, the Nomads might then have the authority to correct the problem.
However, this authority to direct chapters is not accepted by all. Whilst a Nomad does have the right to be hosted by any chapter where he appears, he cannot direct a chapter. Winterhalder (2005) reports that, in 1997, the Bandidos
Bandidos
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Bandido Nation, is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate with a worldwide membership. The club was formed in 1966 by Don Chambers in Texas. Its slogan is We are the people our parents warned us about. It is estimated to have...
' national group sent a Nomad to the Oklahoma chapter to "make sure...[it] understood the Bandido way". However, his presence was resented by President Winterhalder, and an argument with the national president ensued over the role of the Nomad. The right of the chapter to act as an autonomous unit, within the rules of the Bandidos club, is stressed by Winterhalder.
Nomads sometimes live in geographical areas which had fewer than the required numbers to form a chapter. They may have chosen to live somewhat solitary lives, or they may have been sent to an area with a mandate to establish a chapter. Strangely though, the Hells Angels
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
Australia chapter is also known as Nomads, although they wear the "Australia" bottom rocker.
Since the Nomads are not official members of a specific club chapter, they must be received, housed, and fed by any chapter where they may currently be located. They are essentially members of all chapters.
In Australia, a Nomads Motorcycle Club exists in its own right. They are less known than other clubs, but do have a significant presence in the press as an outlaw motorcycle club engaged in allegedly illegal activities. Even though it is not believed, according to Veno (2004), that the Nomads are one of the five most significant outlaw motorcycle clubs in Australia, its negative presence in the press is undoubted.