Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR)

3. PARTICIPATION

A key employee once designated a Participant shall continue to be a Participant (subject to satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 4 below) until the earlier of (a) the date (not later than the date that is three (3) months prior to the date of a Change in Control) on which the Board determines that he or she is no longer eligible to participate in the Plan (as evidenced by written notice thereof), and (b) the date he or she ceases to be employed by the Company; provided, that a Participant who ceases to be employed by the Company by reason of a Qualifying Termination shall continue to be treated as a Participant with respect to any benefits related to such Qualifying Termination until they have been paid or provided in full.

3. PARTICIPATION

A key employee once designated a Participant shall continue to be a Participant (subject to satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 4 below) until the earlier of (a) the date (not later than the date that is three (3) months prior to the date of a Change in Control) on which the Board determines that he or she is no longer eligible to participate in the Plan (as evidenced by written notice thereof), and (b) the date he or she ceases to be employed by the Company; provided, that a Participant who ceases to be employed by the Company by reason of a Qualifying Termination shall continue to be treated as a Participant with respect to any benefits related to such Qualifying Termination until they have been paid or provided in full.

3. PARTICIPATION

Participation in the Plan shall be limited to such key employees of the Employer as the Administrator may from time to time select. In determining who shall participate in the Plan, the Administrator may take into account such recommendations, if any, as it determines to be appropriate, including without limitation nominations by the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) or the Human Resources Department, and may impose such minimum-service or other conditions as it determines to be appropriate.