"The Old Guard"
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Please read these Guidelines carefully. 1.) Old Guard Riders Inc. strictly prohibits members of the organization from possessing or consuming alcohol during any OGR meeting/activity/event, whether national or chapter. OGR members are not prohibited from meeting in an establishment that serves alcohol, however the possession or consumption of alcohol by OGR members is prohibited while the meeting or event is taking place. Once the meeting or event is officially ended and all members have removed their Old Guard Riders logo patches, members are free to conduct themselves as they see fit. 2.) No visible weapons of any kind, including firearms, may be displayed while participating in OGR rides, meetings, missions and/or program functions. 3.) The large OGR logo backpatch may only be worn during actual participation in OGR sanctioned missions, programs or events which are in strict compliance with the Old Guard Riders Inc. Mission Statement and all applicable OGR corporate policy. Casual wearing of the large OGR logo backpatch is strictly prohibited. When the event is officially over, remove your OGR logo patches. National Executive Officers, members of the Board of Directors and such other corporate officers, as may be specifically designated, are authorized to wear the large OGR logo backpatch at all times while in the conduct of their duties. Old Guard Riders Inc. insurance and national policies, as well as state/local traffic laws, strictly prohibit any member of this organization from using their privately owned vehicle, regardless of type, from blocking, interfering with or attempting to control the normal flow and/or pattern of vehicular traffic, whether on public or private property, streets, highways or other location under any circumstances. Violation of any of the above guidelines will result in immediate disciplinary action against the offending member, up to and including revocation of OGR membership. The above rules are not negotiable. **************************************** If you wish to participate in OGR events, you must make your presence and desire known to state and local chapter officers. It helps to become aware of the events and missions being conducted by all veterans organizations in your area. Become aware of the kinds of events and missions that OGR members and chapters participate in and keep a keen lookout for these kinds of events in your area. If you need help teaming up with other OGR members in your state or area, contact the state officer listed on the contact page or contact National OGR by phone or email. We will be more than glad to assist. If there are no other members or chapters in your immediate area, get involved and take the lead in participating in the kinds of events and missions that OGR needs your assistance with. If you can't find a leader, become one! Once an Old Guard Riders activity is confirmed, the event/mission information will be sent out to state, chapter and/or listed contact members in order to organize and coordinate operations. National Old Guard Riders Inc. maintains a complete membership list available to state and chapter officers. Children are welcome at Old Guard Rider activities; however, due to the nature of some activities and weather and other factors, missions can be very hard on children. Please carefully consider whether this activity is appropriate for your children, and come prepared to take care of your child whatever the conditions may be. It is suggested that you use your best judgment with smaller children. If your child becomes restless please be prepared to remove him from the area so as to not disturb the services. Perhaps you and your spouse or a friend can agree to a plan of action before you attend the mission. Talk with your children before hand to prepare them for what may happen. You will find that they may be able to understand more than you think. Give them a flag of their own that is a size they can handle. Teach them some flag etiquette. This can be a positive experience for your child. Absolutely no alcohol is permitted during ride times. Even the smell of alcohol on your breathe will be cause to prohibit your participation in the mission. Many states are “Right To Carry Firearms” state; however, motorcycle riders carrying side arms can be very disconcerting to the general public, and does not convey the image that we, as a charity, wish to portray. Visible weapons of any kind are prohibited from all OGR activities. This includes any object with blade, projectile or other means of inflicting bodily injury. When participating with other organizations, such as the Patriot Guard organization, where funeral protesters may be present, remember that we are not an anti-protest group. We attend services strictly in support of the family, friends and guests of the services. If protesters are present at the services, we will, AT ALL TIMES, remain completely passive. We will not engage the protesters verbally, physically or by any other means. If you violate this rule, your membership will be immediately revoked. Arrive clean and neat and well rested. Riding leathers, if on motorcycle, are appropriate. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Check weather reports not only for where you are leaving from, but the weather at the location where you are going and the weather in between points. Use tape to cover any patch, slogan, or other material on your shirt, jacket, vest, helmet, or other visible area that may offend the others at the activity. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Always preflight your vehicle, especially motorcycles, before leaving home to participate in a ride. Check fluid levels and tire pressure at the very minimum. Always arrive at the starting place during the prescribed staging period time with a full tank of gas, your motorcycle in proper working condition, and be ready to ride. Upon arrival at the staging area, locate and sign the Liability Waiver form. This is required for participation in any OGR activity, whether you are riding a motorcycle or in an automobile. There will generally be a Donation Jar wherever the flags are being passed out. If possible, please leave a donation to help replace worn flags and other expenses. A rider’s meeting will be held by the Road Captain prior to every mission/event (reviewing routes, times, expectations and other issues, if any, that need addressed prior to the mission.) The Road captain is the final authority on any matter pertaining to the ride. Any questions that you may have should be directed to the Road Captain. Do not be embarrassed about asking a question. If you are unsure about something, others in the group probably are as well. Better to ask the question than deal with a problem later. At the end of the Road Captain's briefing, the Road Captain will declare a moment of silence, following which the ride will begin. If flying of flags on the motorcycles is appropriate, please ensure that the flag on your bike is attached securely. If you are unsure of how to attach a flag to your bike, please ask. Someone will be glad to assist. If you do not feel comfortable flying a flag, please refrain. Please remember flag etiquette. Flags should never drag the ground. Please ensure that the flags are not in contact with hot engines or exhaust pipes that might damage the flag. Obey All Traffic Laws – you are responsible for your actions while on the ride. The group shall leave at the prescribed time. If you are not there, the group will leave without you. Ride in staggered formation, always maintain a safe distance from the motorcycle in front of you (a 2-second minimum following distance is required for spacing – more if riding conditions dictate [bad weather, etc]).Maintain your position within the group; if there is a space open in the formation, just leave it. Do not pass in the lane (it is illegal) and/or criss-cross to fill it. If the group comes to a stop (traffic light, stop sign, etc) and then restarts, spaces in formation can be filled with the restarting of the staggered formation. In the event of mechanical failure, the group will continue to its designated stop or first safe area to pull off. A designated ride member will stop to evaluate the situation for further actions and inform the Ride Captain of actions needed, if any. While attending the formal activity itself, please turn off your cell phones or place them on vibrate only. Ringing cell phones during an activity is disrespectful and distracting. Unless otherwise appropriate, keep talking, laughter and other noise to a minimum. If the mission requires members to enter a military reservation, please check base vehicle and motorcycle requirements before departing for the mission. Make sure you have your motorcycle safety course cards and proper base riding apparel. If you need to leave the ride early, leave before any activities formally begin so as not to be disrespectful or distract the activities. Park where you can easily get out. If you borrowed Old Guard Rider flags for the mission, return the flags to the escort vehicle before leaving, so they will be available for the next mission. INTERACTING WITH MCs Many motorcycle related events will place Old Guard Riders in direct contact with officers and members of traditional motorcycle clubs. In all instances where OGR members interact with MC members, OGR members are under specific instruction to show the upmost respect for these individuals and the organizations that they represent. We will NOT become involved in an altercation with an MC under any circumstances. Follow the instructions given or politely leave the event. Only OGR officers and/or mission directors are authorized to interact with the MCs on behalf of Old Guard Riders Inc. The OGR Officer-In-Charge will be appointed well before the event. He/she is the only person acting on our behalf. This is absolutely imperative. Anyone violating this policy will be immediately have their OGR membership revoked. Violation of this policy can have very serious and potentially national consequences. INTERACTING WITH THE MEDIA Only OGR officers and/or mission directors are authorized to interact with the media on behalf of Old Guard Riders Inc. The OGR Officer-In-Charge will be appointed well before the event. He/she is the only person acting on our behalf. This is absolutely imperative. Members attending an event may be approached by the media for general comment. This is fine. BUT any questions specifically about the OGR or the mission must be handled through official channels. Anyone violating this policy will be immediately have their OGR membership revoked. Violation of this policy can have very serious and potentially national consequences.
Remember that participation in 510(c)(3) activities, such as Old Guard Riders', is tax deductible. Keep track of every activity that you attend and how many miles that you traveled during that activity. Check with your tax preparer or the IRS for the amount per mile that is tax deductible.
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Copyright 2007 Old Guard Riders Inc. All rights reserved.
