Dear Abby: Organization’s event becomes chaotic when attendees start throwing things at guest speakers

DEAR ABBY: I chaired an event with a local service organization. Many hours were exhausted with planning and decorating. During the program, a few members playfully started throwing some items from the centerpieces at the guest speakers. By the end of the program, most of the room’s centerpieces were dismantled and on the floor.
My committee had the job of cleanup, which was difficult and tedious. We felt the many hours we spent planning and doing hard work were disrespected because of these juvenile antics. This was an end-of-year program, ringing in new officers and celebrating a wonderful previous year, and there are always some lighthearted shenanigans. But I’ve never experienced total chaos before. Should I say something or chalk it up to celebrating a successful year’s end? — FLABBERGASTED IN TEXAS
DEAR FLABBERGASTED: Were these lighthearted members drunk or just disorderly? “Lightheartedly” destroying the centerpieces and throwing parts of them at the speakers? How disrespectful to everyone involved, not to mention potentially dangerous! I don’t think what happened should be ignored. By all means, speak up. You and the other committee members are certainly entitled to let the perpetrators know how it made you feel. You’re not the only person who is flabbergasted. So am I.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.