As many articles in the March 2009 issue of PMLA imply, the question of ability is central to any consideration of the human. For example, in “Human, All Too Human: ‘Animal Studies’ and the Humanities” (124.2 [2009]: 564–75), Cary Wolfe shows how the humanities transgresses its own limits and thereby shifts its locus and center. Insofar as this broad area of study is the appropriate venue for reflection on the discursive boundary of the human, it must erase that boundary.

I Am Pleased to Report on the Association's Activities in 2009, a year in which the seventh edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers was published. The new edition, sent free to members, contains significant updates to MLA citation style and offers an electronic component for the first time. Another project in 2009, the Academic Workforce Advocacy Kit on the MLA Web site, brings together documents that equip members to work for long-term change in employment conditions. New online benefits of MLA membership include the Directory of Periodicals, a customizable convention program, and self-nomination forms for committee membership. Although the MLA, like all associations and academic institutions, has felt the effects of the economic recession, our membership and finances remained strong in 2009.

The Delegate Assembly MET on 29 December 2009 at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel. First Vice President Sidonie Smith presided. The assembly was called to order at 1:16 p.m. The chair recognized Delegate Ana-María Medina, who made a statement recognizing the life and work of Chris Bell, a fellow delegate who had died just before the convention. The chair asked all in attendance to stand for a moment of remembrance. The chair then made preliminary announcements about the conduct of the meeting, called for a demonstration of the electronic voting system to be used during the meeting and an explanation of the warning-light system that had been installed at the podium to let speakers know how much of their allotted time remained, and noted that she would be exercising her right to vote during the meeting. She announced the quorum for the meeting, which was 80 delegates, because 159 delegates had signed in for the meeting at the beginning. [Note: of the 272 delegates, 189 (69%) attended all or part of the meeting (see the list that follows for the names of the delegates in attendance).]

The Council Met on 30-31 October 2009 at the MLA Office in New York. President Catherine Porter presided. The officers present were First Vice President Sidonie Smith, Second Vice President Russell A. Berman, and Executive Director Rosemary G. Feal. The Executive Council members present were Carlos J. Alonso, Charles Altieri, Sara Scott Armengot, Dorian F. Bell, Jennifer Crewe, Anne Ruggles Gere (30 Oct. only), Jane Harper, George Levine, Paula Rabinowitz, Lynne Tatlock, Alexandra K. Wettlaufer, and Kathleen Woodward. Executive Council member Francis Abiola Irele was absent. The MLA staff members present were Director of Operations Terrence Callaghan, Director of Bibliographic Information Services and Editor of the MLA International Bibliography Barbara Chen, Director of Programs and ADFL Nelly Furman, Managing Editor of MLA Publications and Director of Publishing Operations Judy Goulding, Director of Financial Operations Amilde Hadden (30 Oct. only), Director of Convention Programs Maribeth T. Kraus, Director of Research and ADE David Laurence, Director of Book Publications David G. Nicholls, and Assistant to the Executive Director and Coordinator of Governance Carol Zuses.