I'm very much a build it all kind of writer. A lot of this has to do with wanting a consistent world and wanting the least number of contradictions I can manage across novels. But a lot of it also has to do with how forgetful I am. To avoid having to hunt, guess, or taking just any old idea because it sound wonderful, I pretty much build and profile just about everything.

I recently had a reason to try to figure out the basics of two organizations that characters belonged to - one a formal organization with a religious foundation, the other more of a loose association. Below is the profile that I developed to help me figure out the specifics of those two organizations as well as any other clubs, associations, and anything with membership.

You can download a zipped copy of this profile here.

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Name of Organization

kind of organization:
precepts:
mission & purpose:

location of primary headquarters (city, country):
interaction with local government:
stance of local government concerning:
other places it can be found:

how organized:

history:

membership
current membership:
becoming a member:
powers/abilities:
advancement:
dues:
dress/uniform:
provisions for members:
responsibilities of members:

activities
celebrations & rituals:
activities worldwide:

politics
ties with other organizations:
ties with specific countries:
internal/external conflicts:
general public perception:

leadership and prominent members
(incl: name, position, race, brief summary of duties, brief summary of public opinion)

leaders:

prominent members: