Check Your Voting Status

By Sheridan Gottsponer, GCC Controller
 
What Kind of Member Are You? Let’s Break It Down.
 
At GCC, membership isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that’s a good thing! We offer two types of ownership that reflect how our members engage with the cooperative. Whether you're farming full-time or simply supporting ag from a different angle, there’s a place for you here.  But here's the big difference: only common stockholders get to vote at our annual meetings and help shape the direction of our co-op. Let’s dive into what that really means.
 
Common Stockholder = Voting Member
This is where the power lies. Common stockholders are:

• Bona fide producers of ag products
• Landlords or tenants involved in share tenancies
• People committed to being active patrons of GCC

To become one, all it takes is $50 for 1 share of common stock and meeting the criteria set by our Board of Directors.

Why it matters: Common stockholders have the right to vote at meetings, influencing decisions and leadership choices that affect the future of our co-op.
 
Participating Stockholder = Non-Voting Member
Not a Kansas-based ag producer? No problem—you can still support and benefit from GCC by becoming a participating stockholder.
You’ll need to:

• Be a patron who agrees to follow GCC’s Bylaws
• Purchase 1 share of participating stock for $50
• Meet any conditions from the Board

You won’t have a vote, but you’ll still enjoy being part of the cooperative community.
 
A Quick Note on Voting:
As stated in our Bylaws (Article 1, Section 10), each common stockholder gets one vote, regardless of how many shares they own. Joint owners? You still get one vote to cast between you.
 
Have Questions About Membership? We’re happy to walk you through the details. Just give us a call at the main office or email memberservices@gccoop.com —we’re here to help!