We are looking forward to working with you and hope that your experience as a Community Leader is as successful and enjoyable as possible.  With this in mind it is important to communicate and agree what we expect from you and what you can expect from us.

We hope the following points serve as reference points for both parties as your role as a Community Leader evolves.  Please read this document thoroughly and let us know at the end that you are happy with the points laid out within.

SAS Expectations of Community Leaders

• Plastic Free Communities Objectives - SAS has outlined five objectives for you to work towards in your community. For PFC status to be awarded to your area, it is required that all of these five objectives are completed. These objectives will see you connecting with your community, local businesses and council on behalf of Plastic Free Communities.  Therefore, SAS’s code of conduct applies to you at all times during the project.  If the code of conduct is broken SAS has the right to review your future involvement with Plastic Free Communities.
• Reporting to SAS HQ –It is really important for us to know what progress you are making in your area, mainly so we can celebrate the amazing work you are doing! We can’t do this without hearing from you, so it is vital that you update SAS with your progress. We suggest a quarterly update to your dashboard at least.
• Media and Press - We do not want to take over anyone's existing efforts. But, if you have signed up for the project under the name of another community group, organization or another campaign, it is expected that during any media publicity that you will also mention SAS and Plastic Free Communities alongside your own organisation. You are using the Plastic Free Communities framework and assets provided by Surfers Against Sewage to connect into a wider, national campaign.
• Code of Conduct and Background - when you are representing Plastic Free Communities publicly or digitally it is expected that you will:
  • Act in a suitable and responsible manner that doesn’t bring PFC into disrepute, through online presence, physical presence at events and behaviour when representing PFC in your community.
  • Share the views and policy of PFC to ensure consistency of messaging across all channels.
  • NOT be under the excessive influence of alcohol.
  • NOT be under the influence of, take or discuss drugs.
  • Working with children and vulnerable adults – By signing this agreement you are stating that you have no un-spent convictions (or other reasons) that prohibit you from the above and would pass an enhanced DBS check if required.

Community Leaders and Regional Reps

The Community Leader position is open to all and on occasion others may ask to work in your area. It is expected that existing Community Leaders will warmly welcome new additions to their PFC team and give them a break-down of progress made so far.

Community Leaders are not employees of SAS, SAS volunteers or SAS Regional Reps.

They are leading a community model, using the Plastic Free Communities framework.

We have an established team of SAS Regional Reps around the UK and Surfers Against Sewage would not function without the efforts these Reps put in. They will be thrilled to have you working in their area on Plastic Free Communities! If you are located in an area where we have a Regional Rep, we will put you in touch so you can collaborate.

What you can expect from us

• Support – we will offer advice and information to help you do the best job you can as a PFC Community Leader
• Resources – we will provide you with PFC toolkits, guidance and a Community Dashboard once you have signed up with us, to support your journey to accreditation
• A Community Model - you are part of a team of enthusiastic, like-minded individuals! It is expected that the role fits into your lifestyle, which means you’ll need community members to help lead aspects of the campaign. This is a community effort and should not be completed solely by you as lead.
• The Five Objectives – these are a proven route to success and are there to focus your efforts and also protect you. They give you the ability to say ‘no’ to wider demands or projects should it be necessary.
• A National Network - a dramatic reduction in plastic pollution requires changes in attitudes, laws, policies and markets. You are now part of that! We will keep you updated on national campaigns to take part in and share with your community.
• Being a PFC Community Leader will also look great on your CV and could help with future job applications.
• Fun - Being part of such an enthusiastic and engaging network, meeting new people, developing ideas and joining in at events.

Working with data (GDPR)

As a community leader, you may be collecting data from participant businesses, organisations and individuals as you work on your campaign.  When you sign your community lead agreement, you take responsibility for handling this data and ensuring you don’t break GDPR rules. 

1. Please do not collect personal data on behalf of SAS (e.g. addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.) unless we have asked you to and provided you GDPR compliant means to do so.
2. Please make sure you have permission to share data you upload to the Community Dashboard and tick the relevant GDPR boxes when requested
3. You are responsible for any data you collect for your local activities, so make sure you are GDPR compliant. There is more info here: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/

Consent to use your data

For you to be a community leader and for us to process your information under GDPR data protection laws we need your consent to process your information.

You can adjust your privacy settings at any time by contacting our team on info@sas.org.uk or 01872 553001.

At SAS we care about our supporters and people that are involved in our projects and are deeply committed to protecting their privacy and respecting their data. We hope this demonstrates that commitment to you.

By signing this Community Leader Agreement, you are agreeing to the reasonable expectations set out above and within the dashboard. To comply with GDPR Data Protection laws you consent to us passing your contact details and other data to people who contact SAS to find out who the main community lead is in the area. You consent to us sharing the contact email address provided on our Plastic Free Communities map as a point of contact on your community pin. You also agree to us processing your data for the purposes of Plastic Free Communities communication with you about your community and keeping you up to date about other SAS campaigns.

Date signed
26 July 2026