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C of A
Colors of America...
 Welcome to Biker Living’s
Brand New Project...
Proceeds to benefit the: US Defenders Program
‘COLORS of AMERICA’
Christina Anthony, Designer/Publisher
This is an open invitation to the Presidents and Vice Presidents of any and all Patch Wearing Motorcycle Organizations (PWMO) in and across the entire nation of the United States of America.
You are cordially invited to participate in a collaboration of articles collected and published into a beautiful full color hard cover book... Volume One in progress now... other volumes to be included in the Collection as needed... please take time to read... and yes, it's probably gonna be a long story... but well worth the read!
Thank you in advance for your time & participation!
In a NUTSHELL: Colors of America is about those motorcycle organizations in the United States that wear a Patch on their backs... we are asking for articles about them, from them, in their own words... along with at least 1 and up to 3 photos to be included on their page(s) The articles would be from 300 - 1800 words in length in most cases, and only what you would already want the general public to know about your organization.
If you are already aware of what's expected, scroll down to the application...
Otherwise, please read on...
If you are NOT an officer, you are still welcome to read and pass this along to those that would be able to partake... thanks for your help!
Welcome to Colors of America... let me start by saying that this is a project in the making and some details may have to work themselves out and/or change as the project builds itself toward publication and production.
This project is open to any and all Patch Wearing Motorcycle Organizations in and across the United States of America... be they a motorcycle club, riding group or association, etc., and for the purpose of this project’s explanation and invitation will henceforth be referred to as PWMO. This is meant only for the purpose of convenience and no disrespect is intended by doing so.
The WHO & WHAT...
My name is Christina Anthony. I am the founder/owner/publisher/editor and designer of Biker Living magazine. I am also the project coordinator of Colors of America. I am an Independent rider. I have never been a PWMO member although I have always had good friends that are. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for what they do for their communities and for all bikers. This project is for all of them... and for you too!
This project is designed to be a collection of short articles depicting the hundreds of various motorcycle clubs, riding groups and associations across the United States of America. I have heard many times in speeches by the U.S. Defenders National Commander Gimmee Jimmy that if we bikers do not stand up for ourselves and make a difference there very well could be no motrocycling in our grandchildren's future... I am hoping this book will help fund the cause of the US Defenders program so that we never see that day... and in doing so also preserve for our children a legacy of sorts that shows bikers are more than they may ever hear about on TV or read about in the news. The five minute broadcasts of us on our motorcycles at a Christmas Toy Run is such a sliver of what we do in and for our communities and this book will be a testament to some of that.
I hope you will bear with me and read to the very end of this... and I hope that I am able to answer all your concerns and questions in here... but if not, you are always welcome to contact me directly. My contact information follows the end. Thank you!
 This is a support project benefiting the US Defenders program. A full 70% of net profits will be donated to the US Defenders program's business fund!
Colors of America is a full color hard cover book project that has been inspired by articles originally printed in the central Texas motorcyclist magazine ‘Biker Living’. Since November 2006, Biker Living has printed a few dozen articles such as the ones expected from any participating PWMO in this country and being applied to this project. Often these articles reflect the same personable information found on the home pages of websites a PWMO may already have.
We do not interview any PWMO to obtain articles. Those articles printed in Biker Living were short, personable and upbeat commentaries, solely provided by the particular motorcycle clubs, riding groups or associations interested in sharing with the riding and general community, who, what and why they are. They were written in their own words and edited only for spelling or grammatical correction if needed. They generally filled space of a half page all the way up to a couple of pages at the most and include 1-3 photos.
Each of these articles included a photo of the back patch it represented and told who they were, a brief bit about how or why they got started, what the name stood for, what they might stand for, what they have done or do for the riding & general community they are a part of... basically an opportunity to toot their own horn so to speak and also a chance to let other clubs, riding groups, associations and independent riders get to know a little more about them... the idea or purpose in this was to help bring awareness to our riding community here in central Texas and encourage bridge building... or getting to know each other... and it did do exactly that.
Before being submitted, these articles had to be reviewed and approved for correct historical or factual content, by at least two officers of the PWMO... the articles were generally written by one or more members of the PWMO, sometimes all members were involved, other times just the president took charge of it. No matter who puts the article together on behalf of the PWMO, it must still go through the approval process of at least two other officers before being submitted. Any photos included must also have gone through the same approval process before being submitted. Those always included a photo of the backpatch and sometimes included a group photo or photo from a benefit event etc.
Biker Living is a full color biker-people type rag that I began in Austin Texas in the fall of 2006. I took a preview copy to Bandido President ‘Gimmee Jimmy’ and the then president of the VNVMC/LVMC ‘No Spokes’ and asked them to look it over and that I’d like their blessing to make this happen, approval to obtain random photos and asked for any guidelines they would suggest. The submission guidelines came from Gimmee Jimmy after a bit of trial and error... and has worked well ever since.
These same submission standards will hold true for this project. No articles or photos may be submitted without first being reviewed and approved by at least two other current and/or past officers of that particular PWMO.
The purpose of this is to be certain the facts or information in the article is a true representation of the PWMO and not misconstrued by passing it down through hearsay etc. If any of these articles mentions the governing club of their State, the article must also be approved by an officer of that entity as well, before being submitted. The approvals for any and all submissions must include verifiable contact information such as an email address.
The idea of Colors of America was spurred by the articles in Biker Living... Biker Living was spurred by the United Clubs of Austin... which began in 2002 and rippled through the State of Texas, gaining ground as United Clubs developed in Waco, San Antonio, Tyler etc.
The camaraderie and networking that was produced by the United Clubs inspired me to create Biker Living in the first place, to share their stories and to share the stories of independents as well, with all of the riding community. To help all of us get in touch and understand what the others are all doing, what’s going on. Biker Living in a sense became the voice of this riding community and a communication tool all riders have in common in central Texas. Each issue is created by whatever the local or visiting riders would send us via email... each amazing issue is filled to the brim with great stories of the good things bikers do... we do not print rants, unless they can be written in a positive solution providing light... we are about building bridges, connecting all facets of this riding community.... we are about networking and promoting, educating and informing... whatever helps make our riding community more knowledgeable about each other and those that support us, is what goes into Biker Living... what does not go into Biker Living is stock, corporate, generic articles... we let the other guys do that... this is our magazine, your magazine... it says what you want it to say... in a good way!
And that’s the same idea behind Colors of America... this is your book... these are your articles... I will not be writing or rewriting them... they will be in your words, say what you want to share, nothing more... we don’t want to know the private, secret stuff... we want to know what you’d like people to know about your PWMO... that’s it.
The WHY & WHERE...
In 2007 Gimmee Jimmy introduced the Texas Defenders program at the NCOM in Houston Texas and it was quickly adopted by the entire country to become the US Defenders. Later the COIR/Coalition of Independent Riders was also developed for the same purpose and to work with the US Defenders. The work done by both of these organizations supports what is being done on behalf of all riders, by various MRO/Motorcycle Rights Organizations.
COIR & the US Defenders are the letter writing, email sending, telephone calling, boots on the ground warriors that work within a time related call to action to support causes of concern to our riding communities, as bikers and as Americans. Most of you already know how much good they have been able to do. Many of you know how much this work can cost. Some of you know that a lot of the cost is being absorbed by those doing the work.
I’d spoken with National Commander of the US Defenders, Gimmee Jimmy, about my idea for this book a few times over the last couple of years and he recently agreed that now as nearly every State in our country has members in the US Defenders, this is the best time to begin pulling Colors of America together. The Colors of America project is meant to benefit all of us that ride in the United States of America... and inspire others to see us as the amazing community of people that we are!
The idea and purpose of this book, Colors of America, is to bring awareness to the good things bikers do across this country, not just for other riders but for the general community as well. It is also intended to benefit the national business funds of the US Defenders & COIR programs. By committing to this project, your PWMO will help provide the funds needed to spread the word and do the work of the US Defenders and COIR. A full 70% of the net proceeds from anticipated sales of this book will go directly to the US Defenders national business fund for the benefit of all motorcycle riders in this country.
Although the primary content will be articles submitted by various PWMO, interspersed in the pages will also be articles submitted by folks who have been around bikers all their lives, perhaps grew up involved in clubs etc as well as from people who have been affected in some way by the work bikers do in their community. This project will be one you can and will be proud to be a participant of, one deserving of your respect and support.
If you are an Independent or civilian reading this and feel you may have a great story to contribute, you are welcome to submit for review and consideration but no guarantee of inclusion in this project. With your permission however, we may print it in an upcoming bimonthly issue of Biker Living magazine.
The When...
This project has already begun... I first introduced the Colors of America project at the Austin COC& I meeting in July 2010 and a month later to the Corpus Christi COC&I meeting and the initial response was just what I had hoped. I've had so much positive feedback from everyone that has heard about the project in fact and that in itself has been great encouragement. I have already begun to receive space reservations and submitted content. If it seems to some that Texas is mentioned a lot, it is because I live in Austin, the US Defenders program began here and just as it has rippled out and across the country, so will news of of the Colors of America project. This is a National project and open to PWMO from all corners of the country!
The due date is: ‘First Come First Serve’. The sooner your PWMO gets involved, commits to reserve space and sends in your finished submission the better, as we intend to add pages until we feel it’s time to create a new volume. I believe we can fit about 350-500 PWMO in each volume, perhaps more depeniding on content submitted. There were over 1600 PWMO in attendance at the NCOM (National Coalition of Motorcyclists) Convention in recent years, so if you all get on board we may need a few volumes. Being in the first volume shows that your PWMO is willing and able to see the big picture, how this project can and will help the US Defenders program and influence American motorcycle communities for the good of all.
 I've considered a lot of different formats for organzing the content of this project... here in Texas all of us get along, we mingle, we network, it's not uncommon to see a number of different Patches standing together with independent riders in a conversation... or working together side by side at an event etc... and so the pages will be like that, one big mingling party... as your articles arrive, the pages will be filled in a random order, it will not necessarily be split up into PWMO types, in fact I plan to make sure it isn't.
I would strongly encourage that today, if you are an officer in your PWMO that you make plans to meet with your other officers and get involved in this project. If you are not an officer, once you’ve read I’d appreciate it if you would please pass this along to an officer in your PWMO so that they may make that reservation. Reservations are only accepted from the current President, Vice President or another officer such as Treasurer or Sargaent of Arms, on their behalf.
The How...
Colors of America was chosen for the name of this project for what seems like the obvious reason... well, I thought it was bovious because originally I thought all back patches were referred to as 'Colors'... then I was informed that the back patch is not always referred to as colors except by a selct few of the motorccycle clubs that wear them... I decided to stick with the name though, because I feel that many other people just like myself do think that all back patches are called colors and that in itself will entice them to pick up, flip through and want to purchase this book. And then there was another obvious reason... I know that a great deal of people in this country are intrigued by any thing that pertains to the skin tones of our various residents... I felt that this title might grab their attention, they'd pick up the book, flip open the pages and be hooked... of course enough to purchase the book and in doing so support our cause... the US Defenders of American motorcycle rights!
Placement in this project is by reservation only. There is a $30 application fee per reservation, that will help offset the costs of printing and most importantly show that you are serious about being involved in this project. This invitation is open to all chapters of any PWMO as well as their National, since each chapter has a different story to share from their community and we'd like them all to have a chance to share or toot their horns as well... the more the better! Once you make that reservation, your article and photo(s) are expected within the 60 days after confirmation. The hope is that there will be no ‘snowball effect’ while reservations are made as the various PWMO become aware of this project... so basically your reservation is appreciated ASAP.
Colors of America will be a full color, printed on semi gloss 70# paper, just like we already use in Biker Living. It will have a nice look to the cover, it is meant to be a coffee table type collector piece. Each reservation entitles that entity to one copy of the volume their article is in. Other copies will be available for purchase and orders may be taken in advance as we reach closer to the publication date. As mentioned, a full 70% of the net proceeds, after all expenses are covered, will be donated to the US Defenders national business fund so that the work they do will continue to benefit all motorcyclists.
Reservation may only be made by an officer with the authority to do so. Please fill out the reservation form today and send it by email to bikerliving@yahoo.com Please put CofA in the subject line... or mail it to
Biker Living/CofA Project
PO Box 152887
Austin Texas 78715-2887
Payment may be made online by credit card on the BikerLiving.com website from the CofA page, through Pay Pal or may be made payable to 'Biker Living' by check or money order if you would rather mail it in. Be sure to put CofA in the memo line of your check.
Either way, you will receive acknowledgment by email so be sure to provide the proper contact information. We will stay in contact with you until your article is submitted. We will then again be in contact with you just a few weeks prior to publication in the event you feel a need to update your submission and to allow you to place any orders for additional copies of the volume.
I do hope all your concerns have been answered by now... the only one I can think of may be when to expect publication and I have to say that depends on you. I would like to publish as soon as possible, as early as Fall 2011, so that the funds can be directed to the US Defenders program ASAP. I am already working on filling up pages, just waiting on your PWMO to send theirs in as well... so c’mon, fill out your reservation application as soon as possible and let's get rollin’... and hey, thank you and your PWMO in advance for your involvement and support... C.
Christina Anthony
Biker Living/Colors of America Project
512-988-0858
bikerliving@yahoo.com
BikerLiving.com
Biker Living/Colors of America Project
PO Box 152887
Austin Texas 78715-2887
The Application is below:
Thank you for your participation in this project... please pass this info along to the 'Patch-wearing' members of other motorcycle clubs, riding groups or associations you are familiar with. We realize this is not something every single 'Patch' organization will be able to participate in, some may need to get their nationals approval first, which is good for us, 'cause we want them in it too... however, we do hope it is as inclusive as possible, a true testiment to our heritage as free bikers, not gang members... a caring, compassionate and considerate segment of the country's motorcycle communities... it's your chance to tell your story...
Your $30 contribution will help with the expenses, printing and distribution of this first volume. You will receive a complimentary copy of the finished volume to raffle or keep at your discretion.
Thank you again for your attention to a timely participation... C.
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