I have to say that Ms. Dabrusin made some very strange comments. I'm not about to cast aspersions on her social skills, but when you invite somebody somewhere, it's because you actually want them to show up. The purpose of inviting someone is not just to go through the exercise of inviting them. I think it's a little disingenuous to suggest for one second that, oh, we've invited him, so that's all we need to do; let's carry on.
That's the most ridiculous thing I think I've heard yet today.