"My emphasis for the coming year is on outreach. It's all about communication. My direction for the year is to keep Realtors informed and involved so they can keep their clients up-to-date on real estate issues. I'm going to be making a lot of phone calls and office visits," Krauss said.

Keeping in touch with such a diverse group of members in a territory that includes Sunnyvale and stretches from Los Gatos in Santa Clara County to Woodside/Portola Valley in San Mateo County is no easy task. Her vast real estate expertise combined with an outgoing personality makes Krauss ideally suited to tackle the challenge.

A real estate broker since 1978, Krauss owns W.A. Krauss & Company Property Management in Sunnyvale. She served as president of the 500-member Sunnyvale Board of Realtors in 1990 prior to its merger with five other local boards that formed Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. In 1991, Krauss was honored as Sunnyvale Realtor of the Year. She has also served as a director of the California Association of Realtors since 1988.

"Silicon Valley Association of Realtors serves as a resource for both Realtors and consumers. As a group we are very involved in education, professional standards, political and legislative issues and giving back to the community," Krauss said.

The launch of two new committees this year is particularly exciting to Krauss. The Housing Opportunity Committee will help educate members about programs available for first time homebuyers, while the Cultural Diversity Committee will focus on how to work with different ethnic groups and embrace members who may not have been involved before.

"In addition, professional standards, ethics and grievances always play a large role in our organization since they help define the designation of "Realtor" as meeting the highest level of professionalism and knowledge," Krauss said. "Political and legislative involvement is another important focus, because we act as advocates for consumers to help protect property rights."

During the coming year, Krauss also plans to continue the association's investment in charitable activities in the local community through its Charitable Foundation Trust that provides grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to high school students. "It's a way of giving back and we are very involved in the communities we serve," she said.

Krauss is already "up and running" as she describes the start of her yearlong term of the multi-faceted Realtor group. She credits a terrific staff and strong leadership for providing a base to help accomplish all her goals during the coming year.

"We have a diverse group of companies, large and small, so meeting everybody's needs is a challenge. Being involved and making sure we communicate with our membership and the consumer is the key," Krauss said.

Silicon Valley Association of Realtors serves Realtors and affiliate members from Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Los Altos in Santa Clara County and Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Woodside and Atherton in San Mateo County. An information resource for both Realtors and consumers, the association provides ongoing education programs and training, Internet access and online networking as well as mediation programs and legislative advocacy.

For more information visit www.silvar.org.