When a biker attempts to join a motorcycle club, there are generally two ways of becoming a "patched" member; i.e., one who wears the club's full colors on the back of his vest or jacket. In clubs like the Patriot Guard you are given the club's patch as soon as you're approved for membership. On the other hand, a club like the Laffing Devils requires that you earn your club patch through various acts of service. In the latter case these new members are called prospects.
To outsiders it might seem strange that some clubs require members to earn their colors. But it's actually not so unusual. There are plenty of other non-motorcycle club organizations that do similar things. As an example, let's talk about the Boy Scouts.
New Boy Scouts are initially given a handful of stock patches to sew to their uniforms. Those patches include, among other things, an American flag. They will also be given the patches which designate the council, troop, and patrol they belong to. But rank patches have to be earned as do merit badges and skill awards. The patches and medals for these accomplishments are a way to motivate the boys to do their best and to honor them when they do so.
Motorcycle clubs that use the prospect method are accomplishing much the same thing. They want members to earn a custom club patch as a means of motivating them to be loyal to the group and being serious about the club's business. When the patch is finally earns it becomes a symbol of honor which most bikers are not willing to part with. In fact, many would be willing to die rather than part with their colors or act in a way that's disloyal to the club.
