Officer Andrew Brown, originally from Orangevale, engaged in the CHP’s Explorer program during high school.  After attending Sierra College and Sacramento State, he graduated from the CHP Academy.  Originally stationed at the San Francisco Area Office, he later transferred to the Solano Area office in Fairfield and then to the Placerville Area CHP Office in 2015.  In 2017, Officer Brown assumed the role of Public Information Officer (PIO), serving as a vital link between the community and the department.  His responsibilities are diverse, reflecting day-to-day variations.  Recognized for his exemplary service, he was awarded Officer of the Year by the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills in 2020.  Officer Brown will provide insights into the new traffic laws including updates on e-bikes.

New Rotarian Jamil “Jim” Maroun, an author, writing coach and founder of Aspiring Authors Hub, shared his journey as a writer and how his initial reluctance to use artificial intelligence evolved into more than 2,000 hours exploring how AI can enhance writing, creativity and productivity.

Jamil’s journey began with writing his own book, a process that took eight years before it was published in 2023. After repeatedly hearing readers say, “I should write a book. How did you do it?” he realized he could use what he had learned to help others. That idea eventually became Aspiring Authors Hub, a coaching business designed to help aspiring writers transform their ideas and experiences into finished books.

As a writer, Jamil was initially skeptical of AI and concerned that using it might compromise his own creativity and authorship. His perspective began to change when he experimented with ChatGPT and discovered its usefulness for research, brainstorming and organizing ideas. He later used it to help develop a Rotary recruitment flyer and build his Aspiring Authors Hub website.

Jamil stressed that he does not view AI as a replacement for the writer. Instead, he approaches it much like an editor or writing assistant. He begins with his own ideas, drafts and objectives, asks AI for feedback and pushes back when the results don’t reflect what he wants to say. Sometimes that means considerable back-and-forth before arriving at a finished product that still represents his voice and intent.

“It’s my ideas. It’s my story. It’s my vision,” he explained, emphasizing that the person — not the technology — should remain in control.

As an example of AI-assisted creativity, Jamil passed around books he recently created based on seasonal decorations he and his wife make for their home. Using his photographs of the decorations as a starting point, he worked with AI to create illustrations and scenes, including a Halloween edition.

Jamil also discussed his approach to helping aspiring authors. Rather than insisting that someone sit down and write an entire first draft or devote a prescribed number of hours each day to writing, he encourages writers to brainstorm and capture their ideas first. Those thoughts can then be organized and developed over time until the story begins to take shape.

While enthusiastic about AI’s potential, Jamil also expressed concerns about the rapid advancement of the technology and emphasized the importance of safeguards and responsible use. His overall message was that AI can be a powerful tool, but human creativity, judgment and responsibility need to remain at the center of the process.

For those interested in learning more, Jamil will host Human First AI, a focused, two-hour interactive workshop designed to help participants use AI with confidence, discernment and purpose. The workshop will be offered via Zoom from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 24.

The cost is $125 per person or $99 per person for Rotarians and friends. If our club helps secure registrations, 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to the club. To sign up, visit AspiringAuthorsHub.com. For more information, contact Jamil.

If you know friends or neighbors who wish to play, please have them sign up at this link:  https://form.jotform.com/261417535031146

Volunteers are also being recruited.  Please contact JoEllen to sign up and / or for further information.joellen@2getherwemove.com 925-639-3621

It is estimated the evening will end by 8:00 PM.

The Rotary Club of Cameron Park mourns the passing of our fellow Rotarian Richard “Dick” Marshall, whose remarkable 42 years of Rotary service reflected a lifetime commitment to service and community.

Dick joined the Rotary Club of Cameron Park on Oct. 14, 2025. Just a few weeks later, on Nov. 6, President Adam Marshall proudly presented his father with his new blue badge and a Past President pin.

Before joining our club, Dick was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of West Sacramento for 41 years, where he also served as club president. After relocating to our area to be closer to family, Dick continued his Rotary journey with us in Cameron Park.

At one of our meetings, Dick shared that one of his favorite Rotary memories was attending the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada, with Adam. It was a particularly meaningful experience for father and son and reflected their shared commitment to Rotary and service.

Dick also had a distinguished record of public and military service. His career included 16 years as reclamation district manager in Clarksburg. He also served 20 years in the Air Force Reserve, including active-duty service, and flew 83 combat missions over Vietnam.

At Dick’s final meeting with the Rotary Club of West Sacramento, he was recognized as the club’s featured veteran in honor of Veterans Day. A Paul Harris contribution was also made in his honor—a fitting recognition of his many years of Rotary and community service.

Although Dick was a member of the Rotary Club of Cameron Park for only a relatively short time, we were fortunate to welcome him into our Rotary family and to share in the final chapter of his extraordinary 42 years as a Rotarian. He will certainly be missed by our members, as well as by his longtime Rotary friends in West Sacramento.

To read Dick’s obituary and learn more about his life, please click here:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sacbee/name/richard-marshall-obituary?id=62403879

Memorial Service

Dick’s service will be held Sept. 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Clarksburg Community Church.

Pictured from left to right: Buckeye Union School District Superintendent David Roth, Ph.D, Principal Sara Matley, Area 6 Governor Don Fuller, Duke Juanitas, Alodia Juanitas, Bella Juanitas, Genaviere Juanitas, Stacy Juanitas, and Club President Dan Gott.

On Sept. 10, the Rotary Club of Cameron Park proudly recognized Alodia Juanita, a student at Camerado Springs Middle School, as its Student of the Quarter.

Principal Sara Matley said Alodia was nominated by her teachers because she is a student who truly cares about learning. She asks questions not simply because she wants to earn a good grade, but because she is genuinely curious and wants to understand how the world around her works. She consistently puts forth excellent effort and approaches learning with enthusiasm and determination, often staying after class to ask additional questions.

Just as importantly, Matley said, Alodia exemplifies kindness. She is thoughtful, creative and willing to contribute her time and talents to her school and community. She enjoys arts and crafts and volunteers at her church, where she sings with the youth group.

Alodia is also an active member of her school community, participating in Battle of the Books, the spelling bee, band, this year’s jazz band and the school’s drama club. Matley said Alodia represents many of the qualities the school hopes to see in its students — curiosity, kindness, creativity, effort and a willingness to get involved.

“We’re very proud of her and grateful to have her as part of the Camerado family,” Matley said as she congratulated Alodia on the well-deserved recognition.

Buckeye Union School District Superintendent David Roth, Ph.D., presented Alodia with a certificate of achievement plaque from the Rotary Club and congratulated her on her accomplishments. Roth also recognized the important role of Alodia’s family in supporting her success.

Assistant Governor Don Fuller presented Alodia with a Barnes & Noble gift card from the Rotary Club, and she also received a gift card from the school’s parents club.

The Rotary Club of Cameron Park and Camerado Springs Middle School extend their sincere congratulations to Alodia on this well-deserved honor.

Pictured from left to right:  Terrence, Ann and Emmett Clark; and Rotarians Dave Sargent, Dan Gott, and Tom Elken.

Dave Sargent introduced scholarship recipient Emmett Clark, one of six outstanding Ponderosa High School students awarded a $2,000 Rotary Academic Scholarship this year.

Dave praised Emmett’s exceptional academic achievements, joking that he had taken “basically every AP course that ever existed.”

Emmett told members he will be a freshman at UC Santa Barbara, where he plans to study electrical engineering. While he has not yet decided on a specific career path, he said he expects his interests and experiences in college will help guide him toward the field he ultimately chooses to pursue.

Dave also introduced Emmett’s parents, Terrence and Anne Clark, and reminded members that the Academic Scholarship Program is one of the club’s longest-running and most important programs. He thanked everyone who has contributed their time, energy and resources to its continued success.