diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatDirector.as b/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatDirector.as
index 14590ca9e..65f1becd9 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatDirector.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatDirector.as
@@ -186,6 +186,33 @@ public class ChatDirector extends BasicDirector
         return _chatters;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Adds a chatter to our list of recent chatters. This is normally done
+     * automatically by the ChatDirector, but may be called to also to
+     * forcibly add a chatter. The ChatterValidator will have to approve
+     * of the chatter.
+     */
+    public function addChatter (name :Name) :void
+    {
+        // check to see if the chatter validator approves..
+        if ((_chatterValidator != null) &&
+            (!_chatterValidator.isChatterValid(name))) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var wasThere :Boolean = ArrayUtil.removeAll(_chatters, name);
+        _chatters.unshift(name);
+
+        if (!wasThere) {
+            if (_chatters.length > MAX_CHATTERS) {
+                _chatters.length = MAX_CHATTERS; // truncate array
+            }
+
+            // we only notify on a change to the contents, not just reordering
+            notifyChatterObservers();
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Registers a chat command handler.
      *
@@ -896,30 +923,6 @@ public class ChatDirector extends BasicDirector
         return _history;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Adds a chatter to our list of recent chatters.
-     */
-    protected function addChatter (name :Name) :void
-    {
-        // check to see if the chatter validator approves..
-        if ((_chatterValidator != null) &&
-            (!_chatterValidator.isChatterValid(name))) {
-            return;
-        }
-
-        var wasThere :Boolean = ArrayUtil.removeAll(_chatters, name);
-        _chatters.unshift(name);
-
-        if (!wasThere) {
-            if (_chatters.length > MAX_CHATTERS) {
-                _chatters.length = MAX_CHATTERS; // truncate array
-            }
-
-            // we only notify on a change to the contents, not just reordering
-            notifyChatterObservers();
-        }
-    }
-
     /**
      * Notifies all registered {@link ChatterObserver}s that the list of
      * chatters has changed.