I strongly agree with the statements about being able to effectively identify, evaluate, and use both primary and secondary sources in my research. I am not so confident in my ability to construct a clear main idea, as this is something I have sometimes struggled with. I am good at detecting arguments and being able to effectively convey my thoughts as well as keep an open mind when presented new facts and ideas. During the writing process, I strongly agree that I evaluate genre and audience before beginning. For judging sources, I compare with known information, confirm author, currency, and check for bias. To eliminate bias, I gather multiple sources and evaluate each individual idea for validity. For a final draft, I use peer and instructor feedback as well as reevaluating each source and relevance to determine the most important evidence to include.

Mission:

 

Our goal as a campus organization is to educate our members so they can raise awareness, engage our university community and challenge our campus to effect lasting change against the global human trafficking industry.

 

-When was this organization established?

This organization was established at ole miss in 2018. All Walks is national and was started at Arizona State University.

 

-How does the organization function? Our organization functions by having meetings to discuss hard topics. We brainstorm ways on how we can make people aware of laws surrounding human trafficking so it can be better identified and how we can support fellow non profits that work to end human trafficking and provide support to victims and survivors. Where is the information coming from?

The information we distribute comes from the latest information published on human trafficking. Our information typically comes from Polaris project and the department of justice (DOJ).

 

-When and how did you hear about this organization?

My sister was a founder of the organization, so I heard about it through her. Additionally, they did presentations at honors college welcome week for freshman which is where a lot of our current officers learned about the organization.

 

-When and why did you decide to become a member?

I have always been very passionate about this topic. I was one of the founding members that helped make All Walks Ole Miss happen under my sisters lead.

 

-How long did it take to become a member/requirements to remain a member?

You can become a member immediately by going to a meeting or joining our page on org sync! We do not have any requirements for membership, but we do like participation during our all walks week awareness events. There is no membership requirement because even if someone only comes to one meeting we hope they leave with more awareness about human trafficking and how it affects our state.

 

-estimated # of active members?

115 members

 

-How does the organization communicate with the members? (Social media, email, GroupMe) we communicate using formal emails as well as social media! Our Instagram is @allwalksolemiss and our Facebook page is All Walks at the University of Mississippi.

 

-How does the organization communicate with the community/public to increase involvement? We have had outreach events where we have partnered with other organizations such as gamma beta phi to receive donations for shelters that house victims of human trafficking.

 

-How do members communicate between each other? Is it more personal (text, Snapchat) or remain professional (email, GroupMe DM)

Members typically communicate outside of meetings using GroupMe or email.

 

-Does AllWalks partner with any other anti-trafficking organizations? If yes, how do you communicate between each other?

All walks is a McCain institute partner. The McCain institute provides great resources and funding. Our communication is though a campus representative through email.

 

-What were meetings like before covid? After covid? (In person/zoom, meetings per month)

Before Covid we had in person meeting. Each meeting we would have either a guest speaker such as a lawyer who has worked on human trafficking cases or a film maker who has written a documentary on human trafficking. On weeks where we did not have a speaker we would have documentary screenings.

Currently we are having zoom meetings. We are working with speakers to present on zoom. Zoom has been beneficial because it has allowed members to join meetings no matter their location.

 

-What kind of events do you hold/provide volunteers for?

We hold two big events every year. In the fall semester we hold a drive to raise monetary and physical donations for the only human trafficking shelter in the state of Mississippi. In the spring semester we hold our awareness week. This week we also raise donations for the shelter, but our main focus is to raise awareness around the university and the oxford/Lafayette county. We hold speakers, documentary screenings, and we pass out flyers ans goodies.

 

-What has this organization done for you personally?

This organization has really broadened my perspective on Human Trafficking. I was very blind to certain things before researching and becoming involved with All Walks Ole Miss. I continue to learn more and more daily, and I plan to work in this field area after graduation.

 

-What do you think this organization has done for the campus/members as a whole?

Our goal is to raise awareness on trafficking and I hope that we have accomplished this. We want to make the community aware that Human Trafficking happens to people in All Walks of life and it takes people of All Walks of life to end it. It is a common misconception that Human Trafficking only happens in third world countries and we are trying to raise awareness to show that it happens anywhere and can happen to anyone.

 

-Is there a genre of communication you would change within the organization for it to function better? If so, what would you use instead, and why?

I think our social media has stepped up a good bit from where we started. This allows members to get quick facts as well as upcoming events. I think it is also more personable. As we continue I would like to make communication more personable.

So far in my research I have gathered secondary and primary resources. I struggled with finding someone to interview, but I was finally able to get in touch with a member of the organization. She provided detailed historical and current information that helped myself and will help my audience grasp a deep understanding of the community. Although I have most of the information that I will include in my research report, I need to analyze my resources again and establish the connection between eachother. One of my concerns is that all of my sources will not connect and make sense as a whole. Another concern is staying in touch with the individual I interviewed. It was difficult in the beginning to reach her and continues to be that way throughout my research process so far. Some things that have gone well in my research are my genre analysis’. The organization has a well organized and constant social media engagement so the information is clear and concise for everyone to view.

Reading Journal Kahn

In this essay, I hope to inform young college students about the AllWalks organization on campus. The purpose of the organization is to spread information and awareness on human trafficking to help combat it. I began by searching the forUM page for something I felt I was passionate about and would consider joining as a result of my research. From there, I examined their social media pages and contacted members by email. I should have been better with my planning. Unfortunately, I have not received any emails back from the organization or their members. I could have avoided this if I had planned to make contact well before beginning the writing and research process. That being my biggest obstacle, I plan to find personal emails for past members, if all else fails, and ask them to provide as much info as they can. If this group has stopped meeting, I hope to find out why and how to draw people back to the organization. I feel strongly about what this organization does, so I want to provide the best possible research. Unfortunately, I did not recieve any of my peer reviews back, however I did take the comments from Mr. G to revise instead.

I struggled beginning my draft, and once I did I had to decipher the most important information to include. I did this by eliminating broad answers I found on the organizations website and instead included them as questions to ask a member to provide a more detailed explanation. I began my research on our forUM website, locating an organization that resonated with me. From there, I found social media accounts, email addresses, and points of contact for these members. I will use these to find out more about the organization. Going into this, I present bias by having a strong view on what the organization does. However, I feel like this is beneficial because I can use my commitment to the cause to better place myself within this community as I research it. Any information I find will be proofed by members of the organization, therefore ensuring all information is accurate. I can then use this to present a solid argument for readers to understand. I am still working to get in contact with the organization for them to recommend two members for my interview process. In that, I hope to find out more about the inside communications of the organization and the individual members. This can also help develop a strategy to increase involvement and spread awareness to more people.

Reading Journal Driscoll

Reading Journal Warrington..

Reading Journal Giles