# Lambda Theta Alpha

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (ΛΘΑ) is the first and largest intercollegiate Latina-based sorority, established in 1975 at Kean University by seventeen women of Latin, Caribbean, and European descent as a support system for women in higher education. It seeks to "actively integrate itself into the social, political and community service arena that other students had been involved with."
The sorority was a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, and won recognition as Sorority of the Year from 2000–2001, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, 2012–2013 and 2013– 2014.

## History
### Formation and early years

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean College in Union, New Jersey, by seventeen women who sought to create a sisterhood that would provide support for Latina students in higher education. At the time, no Latina sororities existed at the undergraduate level in the mainland United States, and Greek life primarily catered to Anglo and African American students. Recognizing the need for an organization that represented their cultural background and addressed the specific challenges faced by Latina students, the founders established the sorority with an emphasis on academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
The formation of Lambda Theta Alpha was influenced by the simultaneous establishment of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated, which was founded on the same date at Kean College. The idea of a Latina sorority arose during discussions among Latina students who were present at the fraternity’s founding meeting. Initially, there were suggestions that the women form an auxiliary group within Lambda Theta Phi, but it was ultimately decided to establish an independent organization. The founders of Lambda Theta Alpha developed the first intercollegiate undergraduate Latina sorority in the United States, ensuring that it would be separate but equal in purpose to existing Greek organizations. The seventeen women who established Lambda Theta Alpha are recognized as the "Founding Mothers" of the organization. They are Ileana Almaguer, Cecilia Alvarez, Carmen Baez, Karen Capra, Doris Cruz, Arlene Fernandez, Eneida Figueroa, Maria Gautier, Teresa Gonzalez, Dra. Thomasa Gonzalez, Diana Ibarria, Lillian Marrero, Ofelia Oviedo, Linda Perez, Aurora "Dory" Rodriguez, Maria del Carmen Vega, and Marilyn Wyatt.
Despite its early foundation, the sorority faced institutional challenges. In 1977, Kean College did not officially recognize Lambda Theta Alpha, which limited its ability to function on campus and access university resources. However, the members continued to operate as an organization, holding meetings and engaging in activities that aligned with their founding principles. The sorority persisted despite this lack of formal recognition, and over time, it expanded beyond Kean College, growing into a national organization while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and cultural awareness. Its establishment played a role in the expansion of Latina Greek organizations in the following decades.

### 21st century

The sorority joined the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations in January 2001. Although it would rescind its membership in 2014 for undisclosed reasons.
In August 2017, members of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha at the University of Virginia participated in counter-protest efforts during the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. In response to the violent events that took place, the sorority issued a statement condemning white supremacy and expressing solidarity with marginalized communities.

## Symbols

The mottos of Lambda Theta Alpha are "Latin By Tradition Not by Definition", "Universal Women. Redefining Sisterhood", and "Women there are Many, Ladies there are Few". Its principals or pillars are Unity, Love, and Respect.
The sorority's colors are burgundy and grey. Its jewel is La Perla (pearl). Its tree is La Palma (Palm Tree). Its symbols are La Concha (shell) and La Luna (moon).

## Philanthropy
### St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Lambda Theta Alpha members serve thousands of hours each year to a variety of philanthropic causes and needs. In the effort to create a more united and bigger impact nationally, Lambda Theta Alpha selected a national philanthropy. In January 2010, LTA became an official collegiate partner to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, becoming the first individual Latino Greek organization to commit fully to the hospital's efforts. LTA has pledged to bring awareness to childhood cancer, life-threatening diseases and St. Jude within the Latino community and to fundraise for the hospital through a variety of events and programs. In 2014, the sorority expanded its partnership with St. Jude by becoming an official partner of the annual St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer, which brings communities together across the nation during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise funds for the hospital. The sorority has repeatedly exceeded its sponsorship commitments and looks forward to this event every year.

### Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation

The Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2015, based on the desires and needs identified by the National Board and Founding Mothers of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. They identified the need to create a foundation where members and the community could contribute and benefit from its support. The mission is to promote the enrichment of our communities by providing funding for educational programming, collegiate scholarships, and spearheading humanitarian relief efforts.
Carolina Sodre and Beatriz Barragan came together and on November 24, 2015, the Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation, Inc. (“the Foundation”) became a recognized corporation of the State of Oklahoma and was officially recognized as a 501c3 public charity by the IRS on July 14, 2016. Once established, the Foundation took time to develop its strategic planning and active board members. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey occurred, which ignited the need for support from the Foundation to support its community through its humanitarian relief pillar.
Since then, the Foundation has been upholding the mission of advancing the community through education, humanitarian relief and scholarship.

### Chapter Philanthropies

Most chapters of the organization have a chapter philanthropy in addition to the national philanthropy. Completing a set number of community service hours at any organization for a good cause are required to join.

## Chapters

Chapters and their founding years. The Alpha Alpha and Alpha Alpha Alpha series chapter names are designated for alumnae clubs. Where known, the year when a chapter went dormant is noted. Active chapters noted in bold, inactive chapters noted in italics.
Collegiate chapters :
| Designation | Charter date and range | School | Location | Status |
| Alpha (Α) | December 1, 1975 | Kean University | Union Township, NJ | Active |
| Beta (Β) | 1980 | Bloomfield College | Bloomfield, NJ | Active |
| Gamma (Γ) | 1981 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing Township, NJ | Active |
| Delta (Δ) | 1986 | Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ | Active |
| Epsilon (Ε) | 1987 | Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | Active |
| Zeta (Ζ) | 1987 | Stockton University | Galloway Township, NJ | Active |
| Eta (Η) | 1990 | Fairleigh Dickinson University Caldwell College | Madison, NJ Caldwell, NJ | Active |
| Theta (Θ) | 1991 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Active |
| Iota (Ι) | November 3, 1991 | Rider University | Lawrence Township, NJ | Active |
| Kappa (Κ) | 1992 | University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | Active |
| Lambda (Λ) | 1992 | Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico | Ponce, PR | Active |
| Mu (Μ) | 1992 | Ramapo College | Mahwah, NJ | Active |
| Nu (Ν) | 1992 | Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ | Active |
| Xi (Ξ) | 1992 | Manhattan University College of New Rochelle Iona University | The Bronx, NY New Rochelle, NY New Rochelle, NY | Active |
| Omicron (Ο) | 1992–2001 | Upsala College | East Orange, NJ | Inactive |
| Pi (Π) | 1993 | West Chester University | Chester County, PA | Active |
| Rho (Ρ) | 1993 | Rutgers University–Camden | Camden, NJ | Active |
| Sigma (Σ) | 1993 | William Paterson University | Wayne, NJ | Active |
| Tau (Τ) | 1994 | Monmouth University | West Long Branch, NJ | Active |
| Upsilon (Υ) | 1995 | University of Maryland, College Park | College Park, MD | Active |
| Phi (Φ) | 1995 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Rutgers University–Newark | Newark, NJ Newark, NJ | Active |
| Chi (Χ) | 1996 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Active |
| Psi (Ψ) | 1996 | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | Active |
| Omega (Ω) | | (reserved) | | |
| Beta Alpha (ΒΑ) | 1996 | University of Hartford Trinity College | West Hartford, CT Hartford, CT | Active |
| Beta Beta (ΒΒ) | 1998 | Le Moyne College | DeWitt, NY | Active |
| Beta Gamma (ΒΓ) | 1998 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | Active |
| Beta Delta (ΒΔ) | 1998 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | Active |
| Beta Epsilon (ΒΕ) | 1998 | University of Pennsylvania Temple University | Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA | Active |
| Beta Zeta (ΒΖ) | 1998 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | Active |
| Beta Eta (ΒΗ) | 1998 | Texas A&M University | College Station, TX | Active |
| Beta Theta (ΒΘ) | 1999 | University of Central Florida | Orange County, FL | Active |
| Beta Iota (ΒΙ) | 1999 | Arizona State University | Phoenix, AZ | Active |
| Beta Kappa (ΒΚ) | 1999 | University of Maryland, Baltimore County | Baltimore County, MD | Active |
| Beta Lambda (ΒΛ) | 1999 | Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA | Active |
| Beta Mu (ΒΜ) | 2000 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | Active |
| Beta Nu (ΒΝ) | 2000 | University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | Active |
| Beta Xi (ΒΞ) | 2000 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Active |
| Beta Omicron (ΒΟ) | 2000 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | Active |
| Beta Pi (ΒΠ) | 2000 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI | Active |
| Beta Rho (ΒΡ) | 2000 | New Jersey City University Saint Peter's University | Jersey City, NJ Jersey City, NJ | Active |
| Beta Sigma (ΒΣ) | 2000 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | Active |
| Beta Tau (ΒΤ) | 2000 | University at Buffalo Buffalo State University | Buffalo, NY Buffalo, NY | Active |
| Beta Upsilon (ΒΥ) | 2001 | Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | Active |
| Beta Phi (ΒΦ) | 2001 | University of Illinois | Champaign, IL | Active |
| Beta Chi (ΒΧ) | 2001 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL | Active |
| Beta Psi (ΒΨ) | 2001 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Active |
| Beta Omega (ΒΩ) | 2001 | Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | Active |
| Gamma Alpha (ΓΑ) | 2001 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | Active |
| Gamma Beta (ΓΒ) | 2001 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | Active |
| Gamma Gamma (ΓΓ) | 2001 | University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN | Active |
| Gamma Delta (ΓΔ) | 2001 | Nova Southeastern University | Davie, FL | Active |
| Gamma Epsilon (ΓΕ) | 2001 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | Active |
| Gamma Zeta (ΓΖ) | 2001 | University of California, Riverside | Riverside, CA | Active |
| Gamma Eta (ΓΗ) | 2001 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | Active |
| Gamma Theta (ΓΘ) | 2002 | Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX | Active |
| Gamma Iota (ΓΙ) | 2002 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | Active |
| Gamma Kappa (ΓΚ) | 2002 | University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM | Active |
| Gamma Lambda (ΓΛ) | 2002 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | Active |
| Gamma Mu (ΓΜ) | 2003 | University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI | Active |
| Gamma Nu (ΓΝ) | 2003 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | Active |
| Gamma Xi (ΓΞ) | 2003 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX | Active |
| Gamma Omicron (ΓΟ) | August 23, 2003 | University of Washington | Seattle, WA | Active |
| Gamma Pi (ΓΠ) | 2003 | Florida International University | Miami-Dade County, FL | Active |
| Gamma Rho (ΓΡ) | 2003 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | Active |
| Gamma Sigma (ΓΣ) | 2004 | California State University, San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | Active |
| Gamma Tau (ΓΤ) | 2004 | California State University, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Active |
| Gamma Upsilon (ΓΥ) | 2004 | Cal Poly Pomona | Pomona, CA | Active |
| Gamma Phi (ΓΦ) | 2004 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Active |
| Gamma Chi (ΓΧ) | 2004 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | Active |
| Gamma Psi (ΓΨ) | 2004 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Active |
| Gamma Omega (ΓΩ) | 2005 | Georgia Tech | Atlanta, GA | Active |
| Delta Alpha (ΔΑ) | 2005 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | Active |
| Delta Beta (ΔΒ) | 2005 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | Active |
| Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) | 2005 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke, NC | Active |
| Delta Delta (ΔΔ) | 2005 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | Active |
| Delta Epsilon (ΔΕ) | 2005 | George Mason University | Fairfax County, VA | Active |
| Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) | 2006 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | Active |
| Delta Eta (ΔΗ) | 2006 | University of Idaho | Moscow, ID | Active |
| Delta Theta (ΔΘ) | 2006 | University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Active |
| Delta Iota (ΔΙ) | 2006 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | Active |
| Delta Kappa (ΔΚ) | 2007 | St. John’s University | Queens, NY | Active |
| Delta Lambda (ΔΛ) | 2007 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | Active |
| Delta Mu (ΔΜ) | 2007 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | Active |
| Delta Nu (ΔΝ) | 2007 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | Active |
| Delta Xi (ΔΞ) | 2007 | Lewis–Clark State College | Lewiston, ID | Active |
| Delta Omicron (ΔΟ) | 2007 | University of California | Berkeley, CA | Active |
| Delta Pi (ΔΠ) | 2007 | University of Delaware | Newark, DE | Active |
| Delta Rho (ΔΡ) | 2008 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Active |
| Delta Sigma (ΔΣ) | 2009 | Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth, TX | Active |
| Delta Tau (ΔΤ) | 2008 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | Active |
| Delta Upsilon (ΔΥ) | 2008 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | Active |
| Delta Phi (ΔΦ) | 2008 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Active |
| Delta Chi (ΔΧ) | 2008 | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Active |
| Delta Psi (ΔΨ) | 2009 | Towson University | Towson, MD | Active |
| Delta Omega (ΔΩ) | 2009 | California State University, Northridge | Northridge (LA), CA | Active |
| Epsilon Alpha (ΕΑ) | 2009 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | Active |
| Epsilon Beta (ΕΒ) | 2009 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Active |
| Epsilon Gamma (ΕΓ) | 2009 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | Active |
| Epsilon Delta (ΕΔ) | 2009 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | Active |
| Epsilon Epsilon (ΕΕ) | 2009 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA | Active |
| Epsilon Zeta (ΕΖ) | 2009 | University of Vermont | Burlington, VT | Active |
| Epsilon Eta (ΕΗ) | 2009 | Villanova University | Villanova, PA | Active |
| Epsilon Theta (ΕΘ) | 2010 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | Active |
| Epsilon Iota (ΕΙ) | 2010 | Cal Poly Humboldt | Arcata, CA | Active |
| Epsilon Kappa (ΕΚ) | 2010 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | Active |
| Epsilon Lambda (ΕΛ) | 2010 | Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University | Daytona Beach, FL | Active |
| Epsilon Mu (ΕΜ) | 2010 | SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, NY | Active |
| Epsilon Nu (ΕΝ) | 2011 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC | Active |
| Epsilon Xi (ΕΞ) | 2011 | California State University, Fresno | Fresno, CA | Active |
| Epsilon Omicron (ΕΟ) | 2011 | Binghamton University – SUNY | Binghamton, NY | Active |
| Epsilon Pi (ΕΠ) | 2011 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | Active |
| Epsilon Rho (ΕΡ) | 2011 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, TX | Active |
| Epsilon Sigma (ΕΣ) | 2012 | University of California, Irvine | Irvine, CA | Active |
| Epsilon Tau (ΕΤ) | 2012 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | Active |
| Epsilon Upsilon (ΕΥ) | 2012 | University of California, Davis | Davis, CA | Active |
| Epsilon Phi (ΕΦ) | 2012 | University of North Carolina | Charlotte, NC | Active |
| Epsilon Chi (ΕΧ) | 2012 | University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | Active |
| Epsilon Psi (ΕΨ) | 2012 | University at Albany, SUNY | Albany, NY | Active |
| Epsilon Omega (ΕΩ) | 2013 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | Active |
| Zeta Alpha (ΖΑ) | 2013 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | Active |
| Zeta Beta (ΖΒ) | 2013 | University of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA | Active |
| Zeta Gamma (ΖΓ) | 2014 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | Active |
| Zeta Delta (ΖΔ) | 2014 | Boise State University | Boise, ID | Active |
| Zeta Epsilon (ΖΕ) | 2014 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Active |
| Zeta Zeta (ΖΖ) | 2014 | California State University, East Bay | Hayward, CA | Active |
| Zeta Eta (ΖΗ) | 2015 | Idaho State University | Pocatello, ID | Active |
| Zeta Theta (ΖΘ) | 2015 | Johnson C. Smith University | Charlotte, NC | Active |
| Zeta Iota (ΖΙ) | 2015 | Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | Active |
| Zeta Kappa (ΖΚ) | 2015 | SUNY Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh, NY | Active |
| Zeta Lambda (ΖΛ) | 2015 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | Active |
| Zeta Mu (ΖΜ) | 2015 | Duke University | Durham, NC | Active |
| Zeta Nu (ΖΝ) | 2015 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | Active |
| Zeta Xi (ΖΞ) | 2016 | University of Missouri | Columbia, MO | Active |
| Zeta Omicron (ΖΟ) | 2016 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | Active |
| Zeta Pi (ΖΠ) | 2016 | Salisbury University | Salisbury, MD | Active |
| Zeta Rho (ΖΡ) | 2016 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | Active |
| Zeta Sigma (ΖΣ) | 2016 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA | Active |
| Zeta Tau (ΖΤ) | 2017 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL | Active |
| Zeta Upsilon (ΖΥ) | 2017 | Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, IL | Active |
| Zeta Phi (ΖΦ) | 2017 | Denison University | Granville, OH | Active |
| Zeta Chi (ΖΧ) | 2017 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | Active |
| Zeta Psi (ΖΨ) | April 29, 2017 | California State University, Dominguez Hills ? | Carson, CA | Active |
| Zeta Omega (ΖΩ) | April 7, 2018 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC | Active |
| Eta Alpha (ΗΑ) | 2018 | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | Active |
| Eta Beta (ΗΒ) | 2018 | SUNY Cortland | Cortland, NY | Active |
| Eta Gamma (ΗΓ) | May 11, 2019 | University of California, San Diego | San Diego, CA | Active |
| Eta Delta (ΗΔ) | 201x ? | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | Active |
| Eta Epsilon (ΗΕ) | October 31, 2020 | California State University, Chico | Chico, CA | Active |
| Eta Zeta (ΗΖ) | November 13, 2020 | Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX | Active |
| Eta Eta (ΗΗ) | November 28, 2021 | George Washington University | Washington, D.C. | Active |
| Eta Theta (ΗΘ) | November 4, 2022 | The Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | Active |
| Eta Iota (ΗΙ) | November 2, 2024 | Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA | Active |
* 1 2 In 1922 Manhattan University was relocated from its original location in Manhattan, to the nearby borough of the Bronx, without being renamed.
* 1 2 The College of New Rochelle was closed in 2019, after bankruptcy of the school.

### Alumnae chapters

Alumnae chapters :
| Designation | City |
| Alpha Alpha (ΑΑ) | New Brunswick, New Jersey |
| Alpha Beta (ΑΒ) | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Alpha Gamma (ΑΓ) | Austin, Texas |
| Alpha Delta (ΑΔ) | Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Alpha Epsilon (ΑΕ) | New York City, New York |
| Alpha Zeta (ΑΖ) | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Alpha Eta (ΑΗ) | Los Angeles, California |
| Alpha Theta (ΑΘ) | Seattle, Washington |
| Alpha Iota (ΑΙ) | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Alpha Kappa (ΑΚ) | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Alpha Lambda (ΑΛ) | Chicago, Illinois |
| Alpha Mu (ΑΜ) | Detroit, Michigan |
| Alpha Nu (ΑΝ) | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Alpha Xi (ΑΞ) | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Alpha Omicron (ΑΟ) | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Alpha Pi (ΑΠ) | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Alpha Rho (ΑΡ) | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Alpha Sigma (ΑΣ) | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Alpha Tau (ΑΤ) | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Alpha Upsilon (ΑΥ) | Orlando, Florida |
| Alpha Phi (ΑΦ) | Dallas, Texas |
| Alpha Chi (ΑΧ) | San Francisco, California |
| Alpha Psi (ΑΨ) | Denver, Colorado |
| Alpha Omega (ΑΩ) | Paterson, New Jersey |
| Alpha Alpha Alpha (ΑΑΑ) | Houston, Texas |
| Alpha Alpha Beta (ΑΑΒ) | San Diego, California |
| Alpha Alpha Gamma (ΑΑΓ) | Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Alpha Alpha Delta (ΑΑΔ) | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Alpha Alpha Epsilon (ΑΑΕ) | Tri-Cities, Washington |
| Alpha Alpha Zeta (ΑΑΖ) | Richmond, Virginia |

### Omega chapter (Ω)

Omega chapter is dedicated to late members of the sorority. Historically, the sorority has honored these members with the title "Lambda Angels". During each national banquet a moment of silence is held, and information about each member is incorporated into the program that reflects on each Lambda Angel's accomplishments and the loss due to their death. In later years a ceremony has been conducted at the national annual convention.