MOSES LAKE - The work of realtors in the Moses Lake and Othello area was recently highlighted during the Moses Lake-Othello Realtors Association banquet.

The group also presented their 2012 Realtor Awards during the event at the Best Western in Moses Lake.

Carol Cruz, of Sunset Real Estate, was installed as the association's 2013 president. She replaces the group's 2012 president Joyce E. Ferrians-Adams, of Dune Lake Properties.

Ferrians-Adams was named last year's Realtor of the Year. Chris Blessing, of Coldwell Banker, received the group's Realtor Achievement award and Lynn Garza, of Windermere, received the 2012 Realtor Community Service award.

Dano and Harper's Vicki Heimark was named the association's Affiliate of the Year and Colstor's Terry Moore was honored as the 2012 Citizen of the Year.

Cruz said she has worked in the Moses Lake real estate industry for about 30 years. Although she has been involved with the association over the years, this is her first time serving as the group's president.

Cruz said her goal for the coming year is to get the association's members more involved. She said better communication among members might help wit that.

About 106 realtors currently belong to the association, said Cruz.

"Realtors are so busy, and sometimes e-mails don't get opened or they get pushed aside," she said.

Cruz said she wants to try to use social media to reach out to members.

"There's technology like Facebook and Twitter that would be easier to let members know what's going on," said Cruz.

Cruz said since a younger group of realtors are starting to enter the workforce, social media could be the best way to keep them up to date on association activities.

"We want to get people excited and to let them know what's going on," said Cruz.

Cruz said she also wants to focus on keeping track of legislative issues that could affect homeowners. She said decisions made in Olympia would also affect realtors in the area.

Some of the funds raised by the association throughout the year go toward supporting lobbying efforts, said Cruz.

"Lobbyists are fighting for homeowner's rights," she said. "That's important to us."

In 2012, the association offered several marketing and technology classes for members. Cruz said offering educational classes for members will be a priority for the association this year as well.

The association will also host events this year to raise funds for student scholarships.

In 2012, the association awarded scholarships to a high school student and a Big Bend Community College student.

Cruz said members participated in the Salvation Army bell ringing program last year, and she hopes to continue that tradition this year.

"We always try to work with the community," she said.