Common or Participating- Do You Know Your Voting Status?
Sep 04, 2026
By Kelly Drees, CFO
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:
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:
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—we’re here to help!
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 within Kansas
- Landlords or tenants involved in share tenancies
- People committed to being active patrons of GCC
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 50 shares of participating stock for $50
- Meet any conditions from the Board
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—we’re here to help!