DEAR ABBY: I am the luncheon chairperson for a large fundraiser that will be held in six weeks. I know my question is one shared by many. How can a brilliant person be advised to keep his remarks short and not like he's preaching to the choir without seeming rude? -- DOESN'T WANT TO OFFEND
DEAR DOESN'T WANT TO OFFEND: Here's how. Run your event like a commanding general. Tell all your speechmakers and honorees how much time they are allotted. Insist they submit their remarks in enough time before the event that you can review the length -- and keep "reminding" the speakers what time the event MUST end.
If you bravely and diligently do this, your event will be a hit. And you will be regarded as brilliant because not many people are courageous enough to be this assertive.