By Kansan Staff

The Newton Kansan is undertaking a new initiative that puts the spotlight the community’s diverse voices and ideas. The “Community Conversation Initiative” is set to change the way we connect, discuss, and collaborate with our community in a new and meaningful way.

It starts with a series of video interviews posted weekly at thekansan.com. The fourth of the series features Pam Stevens, director of the Newton Area Chamber of commerce.

Before taking on five questions, Stevens spoke a bit about the role the chamber plays in the Newton Community

“We are the resource and convener of meetings. We see a need, and we often put a task force together to deal with that issue,” Stevens. We are there to connect businesses with other businesses and help them with what they need.”

Stevens sat with Kansan Editor Chad Frey for the interview – fielding the standard five questions that will be asked in each interview in the series.

Many of the questions concern the role of, and future role of, local media in the community.

The five questions she fielded include:

What are the most pressing challenges facing our community at the local level right now?

Considering the evolving media landscape, what role do you see local newspapers playing in the community five years from now.

In your opinion, what role should our newspaper play in promoting civic participation and community involvement?

What community events or activities do you believe do you believe we should cover to better connect with our residents?

Considering the current economic landscape, how can our publication support local businesses and contribute to economic growth in the community?

To find the interviews online simply look for the “Conversations” category on the front page of thekansan.com.

A community survey will be launched in the weeks ahead as well.