By-Laws of the American Dream Coalition

I. Purpose

The purpose of the American Dream Coalition is to help its members effectively support the American dream of freedom, mobility, and affordable homeownership while it helps them oppose coercive land-use policies and wasteful transportation projects; limited, however, to charitable, educational, and scientific purposes of organizations exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

II. Membership

The American Dream Coalition shall have three types of members: founding members, group members, associate members, and individual members. Founding members will include all group and individual members who join the Coalition by May 1, 2003.

III. Steering Committee

A. Composition

The Steering Committee of the American Dream Coalition shall consist of one representative of each group member plus three at-large members elected by individual members.

B. Selection

Each group member shall designate its official representative to the Steering Committee prior to each meeting. Individual members shall vote by e-mail for the at-large members at least thirty days prior to the annual Steering Committee meeting using procedures defined by the Executive Committee.

C. Meetings

The first meeting of the Steering Committee shall be between January 1 and March 15, 2004. Thereafter the Steering Committee shall meet at least once a year at the annual meeting of the American Dream Coalition at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may also call additional meetings of the Steering Committee, and must do so if it is so requested by at least 25 percent of Steering Committee members.

D. Quorum

A quorum of the steering committee shall be one-half of the membership or thirty members, whichever is smaller.

E. Authority

The Steering Committee shall elect the officers and members of the Executive Committee, vote on any changes to the by-laws and other organizational documents, vote on policy matters referred to it by the Executive Committee, and review the year's budget and programs.

IV. Executive Committee

A. Composition

The Executive Committee shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, one at-large member who represents individual members, and two other members.

B. Selection

The at-large member of the Executive Committee will be selected by the three at-large members of the Steering Committee. All other Executive Committee members will be elected by the Steering Committee as a whole at the annual meeting and may be selected from any Steering Committee member of the Coalition.

C. Terms of Office

Executive Committee members elected at the first (2004) meeting of the Steering Committee shall draw lots to see which four have two-year terms and which three have one-year terms. Thereafter, terms on the Executive Committee shall last two years. Terms of officers shall be just one year unless reelected by the Steering Committee.

D. Founding Executive Committee

On or about May 5, 2003, representatives of Founding Members of the Coalition shall select a Founding Executive Committee, which shall govern the Coalition until the first (2004) meeting of the Steering Committee.

E. Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times a year.

F. Quorum

A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of at least four members.

G. Authority

The Executive Committee shall hire and oversee the Executive Director, approve the annual budget, establish annual dues for individual, associate, and group members, and set policy for the Coalition. The Executive Committee may refer any question before it to the Steering Committee.

V. Executive Director

A. Selection

The Executive Director is hired by the Executive Committee and serves at the pleasure of that committee.

B. Authority

With the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, the Executive Director may select, hire, oversee, and dismiss staff members, expend funds as authorized by the annual budget or the Executive Committee, and carry out the policies and programs of the Coalition as defined by the Executive Committee.

VI. Amendments

The Executive Committee or any member of the Steering Committee may propose amendments to the by-laws or articles of incorporation. Amendments to the by-laws or articles of incorporation shall not take effect until they are approved by the Steering Committee. The Executive Director will immediately notify the IRS of any amendments made to the governing documents that could affect the Coalition's tax-exempt status.