How to Keep a Secret Organization Secret

Last Updated: March 26, 2023

Whether you want a secret way to connect with a small group of friends or are looking to build a large-reaching secret society, keeping your group's existence under wraps is key. This article will walk you through the process of starting a secret society and keeping its existence, members, and function under the radar. Read on for more!

1

Plan the organization with trusted others.

Only tell people you know you can trust. When in the beginning stages of forming a secret organization, only plan it with people you know and trust. Including someone that you've just met is not a good idea. No matter how long you've talked to someone, if you've just met, you do NOT know them.

2

Choose a name.

Choose a stealthy name. Your organization's name should not depict your ultimate goal, as it is a secret organization, and having someone figure out what you're all about based on your name would be a bad scenario. Try to be original as well, choosing a name that is a copy or, or similar to, the name of a band, movie, or non-secret organization shows a lack of creativity. Anagrams and Initials are overused, so try to steer clear of those.

3

Have a code of conduct and a list of rules.

Make sure it's clear that all members, including the leader, are to follow this code of conduct, and list of rules. Have a policy in place for breaking these rules, such as the three strike rule, each strike deserving of a different penalty.

4

Decide on an initiation process.

An initiation process is a good idea, but do not make it humiliating, painful, or anything of the sort. You want your members to be happy and healthy, not afraid and in pain.

5

Make all members swear to keep the secret.

Be specific in what it means to keep the secret. This means no telling others, no giving hints, no admitting to the club through 20 questions-style interrogations. Have a harsh punishment in case they break this rule, such as demoting them within the group, evicting them from the group, or worse, depending on your organization and it's level of importance to you and your members.

6

Treat all members fairly.

Do not give someone special treatment just because you like them better than the others. If they break a rule, assign them the same punishment you would had it been anyone else. This includes yourself. If you break a rule, give yourself the same punishment you would the other members. Just because you lead this organization, does not make you exempt from messing up.

7

Follow your own rules.

Don't hint that you have a secret to anyone. If you want to try to recruit someone, it should be done in a manner that has already been pre-discussed by the group.

8

Be intentional in your recruitment process.

Do not recruit, or try to recruit, anyone who you know will disrupt the group. Talk it over with your members before trying to recruit anyone to make sure no one else has a problem with it. If someone does have a problem, request them to give you reasoning as per their answer.

9

Keep your organization quiet.

There should be no advertisements for it whatsoever. If you and another member(s) are determined to talk about it outside of your designated meeting area, do it in a setting where you would be unheard by others.

10

Avoid suspicion.

If someone has noticed you and your fellow members together more than you would normally be, take a break. Spend time away from each other and with other people. On this note, however, do not just suddenly stop spending time with each other, do it in increments.

11

Don't admit anything.

Someone may call you on having a secret organization either based on a wild guess, or true suspicion. Never say, "Yes, I'm in one." or anything of the sort, not even 'Maybe.' This will make them more suspicious. Try not to get defensive, as when someone is defensive, it is a dead giveaway that they are either lying, or truly care too much about the subject at hand. Alternately, you may admit in a sarcastic manner; "Duh, of course I'm in a secret organization - isn't everyone?". This often works well towards putting off further questions and is, on occasion, hilarious.

12

Have a clear process for leaving the organization.

If a member decides to leave your organization, make sure they won't tell anyone about it. Try to make their leaving a process that harbors little to no hard feelings, as when people are hurt, they tend to do things they later regret, such as becoming a loudmouth.

13

Do not publish anything about your organization on the internet.

It can, and most likely will, be found. Keeping records of what happens during meetings is a great idea, but it should be done in hand written, or typewriter, form only. Keeping your records stored on a computer that is unacceptable to the internet is fine, as long as you prohibit flash drives, floppy disks, and any other item that can store information from a computer on it, within your meeting area.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I spot other secret organizations that are of a potential enemies?

Community Answer

You should spy them, see if there are suspicious people, make a list of them and see if they hang out a lot. You can also make friends with them to see if they really are a s.o.
Question

What should be my organization's name, and why should I make one?

Community Answer

Most secret organizations are gatherings of people with common knowledge, purpose, or cause, so pick a name relating to that knowledge, purpose or cause. Making a name unifies you and the others in the organization.
Question

I would like to create a large secret society with aim to act as a Plan B for the nation, and eventually the world, when they are faced with difficult challenges. How should I recruit?

Community Answer

You could make clues on little bits of paper with a note on them as a piece of clue. Only the intelligent ones will find you and you can recruit them by that.

Warnings

Planning and forming a secret organization should be done with people who are not prone to drama. As such, you may want to set an age limit, and make sure your members, or potential members, are mature and trustworthy. A little kid who tells everything to their parents/best friend/older sibling may not be the best recruit.

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Despite all this, you might still get caught. Have a good excuse planned, perhaps that you are planning a surprise party for someone, and keep some supplies around, but hidden, just in case.

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When coming up with a punishment for someone who has failed to keep your organization secret, do not do anything that could physically or mentally harm them in any way. That is called, "Abuse", and it is illegal, and could result in your imprisonment.

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