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What is a patron member?

A patron member is a member holding a patron membership interest, which requires the holder to conduct patronage business for or with the cooperative.

Verified against sources: October 15, 2026Last edited: October 15, 2026

Chapter 308B defines "patron member" as a member holding a patron membership interest P1, § 308B.005, subd. 22. A patron membership interest requires the holder to conduct patronage business for or with the cooperative, as specified by the cooperative, to receive financial rights or distributions P1, § 308B.005, subd. 23.

What counts as patronage is "business, transactions, or services done for or with the cooperative as defined by the cooperative" P1, § 308B.005, subd. 21. So a patron member might be a customer, a producer or a worker, depending on your bylaws.

Patron members have special voting protection: each is entitled to one vote on patron-member issues unless the articles or bylaws give additional patronage-based votes P1, § 308B.545, subd. 1.

See Define members and membership classes.

Statute sections referenced

Sources

  • P1 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 308B (Cooperative Associations), Office of the Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota. revisor.mn.gov (primary; accessed October 15, 2026)

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