This volume is the first published historical dictionary of Hispanic American voluntary organizations. The work analyzes the history, purposes, organizational structure, activities, and goals of nearly 200 national and local voluntary organizations and associations. Each entry includes source data. The book focuses on the three major Hispanic groups (Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans), but also includes information on other Latin American organizations. There is, of historical necessity, a greater inclusion of Mexican American associations. The introduction provides a historical overview of Hispanic organizational activity in the United States, and discusses the methodology used to compile information on the organizations. Appendices include: (1) listings, by state, of over 500 organizations sent questionnaires; (2) a chronology covering major events in Hispanic American history and the founding dates of the organizations in the text; and (3) a listing of the organizations in the text by function. The index covers organizations cited in other entries, leaders, and major topics. (SV)