If you've ever opened ChatGPT or Claude, typed something in, and thought "that's not quite what I meant" — you're not alone. Most people who try AI tools walk away feeling like they're missing something. The truth is, they are. Not because AI is too complicated. But because nobody showed them how to use it.
That's about to change.
Introducing the Saratoga Lions Speaker Series
The Saratoga Lions are proud to launch their brand-new Speaker Series — a monthly community gathering bringing together local speakers and neighbors for an evening of learning, conversation, and connection. Each month, a speaker from the community will present on a topic relevant to the Lions' mission of service, education, and community well-being.
And we're kicking things off with a topic that couldn't be more timely.
The First Event: "Essential AI Tips That Most People Don't Know"
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM, local AI enthusiast and community member Mel Engstrom will share four practical techniques that will fundamentally change the way you work with AI tools — no matter what you use them for.
This isn't a talk about technology. It's a talk about communication — specifically, how to communicate with AI the way you'd communicate with a really smart, capable assistant. Clearly, with context, and with the ability to course-correct along the way.
Here's a preview of what Mel will cover:
🔹 "Are We on the Same Page?" — A simple technique to make sure AI understands your task before it starts, so you catch misunderstandings in seconds instead of minutes.
🔹 "The Stepping Stones" — How to ask AI to map out a full plan before you begin, giving it the full picture of your goal from the very start — and why that makes every result dramatically better.
🔹 "Pass the Mic" — How to flip the script and let AI ask you the questions, turning it into a true thinking partner rather than just a tool you query.
🔹 "The Chef's Taste" — How to refine any AI output the same way a chef seasons a dish: more of this, less of that, until it's exactly right.
These techniques work for anything — writing a heartfelt email, planning a trip, helping a family member with a resume, researching a health question, brainstorming ideas for a community project. If you can imagine asking AI for help with it, these techniques will make that help better.
Who Is This For?
Everyone. Seriously. You don't need a tech background. You don't need to know anything about AI going in. Mel's approach is practical, jargon-free, and designed for real people with real lives — not just the tech crowd.
Whether you're AI-curious and don't know where to start, or you've tried these tools and felt underwhelmed, this talk will give you something concrete to walk away with and use the very next morning.
Join Us
📅 Tuesday, June 16, 2026 🕕 6:00 PM 📍 Florentine Trattoria 14510 Big Basin Way, Ste 11, Saratoga, CA
Free and open to the public. Come enjoy a wonderful evening at a beloved local Saratoga restaurant, learn something you'll actually use, and meet your neighbors who are making a difference in the community.
👉 RSVP here: http://tiny.cc/lionssignupform
And if you know someone who's been curious about AI but doesn't know where to start — bring them along. This one's for them too.
🦁 The Saratoga Lions — We Serve.
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