FTH domain warning & changing DNS to .au domain (.org.au expiring in Australia)

Hi FTH
Further to your recent assistance May 25, ref #95122  (response to FTH warning message about the validity of our .org.au domain) and finding the option of an "alias" solution not an ideal outcome (results in search opening the FTH "Request a Website" page), we are now proceeding to update our domain in Australia from charlestowntoastmasters.org.au to charlestowntoastmasters.au.

N.B.  Please note, our current website is operating satisfactorily and we have until Feb 2026 before our .org.au domain expires, so there is no emergency, we just need to move forward with the change.

We wish to request your assistance to confirm our interpretation of FTH guidance is correct (ref " Configuring DNS settings for a Custom Domain Name " and a couple of clarifying questions, as outlined below.
Regards Greg DeLore - VPPR Charlestown TM (Club 6345) NSW Australia

Club Action required:  
i.  Noting, "The Toastmasters server is known as the “FreeToastHost” server - in DNS records it is identified by its IP address, 50.19.253.65"
ii. FTH guide advises at para 1.2, to change DNS records:  "1.2 You need to create or change four DNS records so they read as below - i.e. to point to the FreeToastHost server (substitute your domain name for domain.ext below)"
 
[Note from member - Domain details were initially provided in tables which did not format properly when pasted - the domain details have since been replaced by above attached image]

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Questions
1.     Sequence of changes? 
Ref FTH guide :  “Warning” below “Generic instructions for changing your registrar's DNS Settings” (below para 1.1), extract as follows:  "WARNING: If you've already using your domain for your existing club website and/or for the domain's email, make sure your new FreeToastHost website is ready to go before making any DNS changes."
         
Our question is, given we are already using a ".org.au" domain, could you please clarify if there are any special sequence of changes, as we tend to think:

• firstly, we will purchase new .au domain from our current providor
• then we update the DNS record, presumably through the providor's digital "dashboard", "DNS Manager" (to change settings)
• finally, we update our FTH Admin Console, ref FTH guide , 2 Changing your FreeToastHost settings and 3 Changing your FreeToastHost settings when you've changed to a different domain name (given we've already been using a domain and our domain name field is not empty)

2.     Impact on stored emails? 
Ref "Warning" same as above:  “WARNING: ...Soon after you make the changes your previous website and any previous email services (including stored emails) will no longer be directly available. Your website and email will subsequently be handled by FreeToastHost."
         
Our question is, Could you please clarify:

• That this may not apply to our website, as it may refer to setting up a new web site, as opposed to what we are doing, changing an existing domain?
• the only emails we have which may qualify as "stored emails" are "standard" FTH admin records, as follows:  (1) member and officer contacts (all currently with ".org.au" suffix); and (2) “Contact Us” system generated email to visitors initiated by clicking 3rd tab down on FTH website menu, ref charlestowntoastmasters.org.au ?
• our above emails ("standard" FTH admin records) may automatically update when we change the DNS record, with no further action required from us?

End of query
 

That all looks correct - BUT:
I've just set up an alias for you and it is working:   charlestown.toastmastersclubs.org/      It might not have worked earlier due to a conflict with the bad setup of the custom domain at that time.  

If you decide to use the alias, it will be easier to transition as you can use both until your current domain expires.  You can start using the new alias version right away - encourage members to use that, change any flyers etc.  The custom domain will still work until it expires unless you remove the link on your website.  

If you prefer not to use the alias please delete the entry on your website

 

wrote:

2.     Impact on stored emails?
        Ref "Warning" same as above:  “WARNING: ...Soon after you make the changes your previous website and any previous email services (including stored emails) will no longer be directly available. Your website and      email will subsequently be handled by FreeToastHost."
         Our question is, Could you please clarify:

• That this may not apply to our website, as it may refer to setting up a new web site, as opposed to what we are doing, changing an existing domain?
• the only emails we have which may qualify as "stored emails" are "standard" FTH admin records, as follows:  (1) member and officer contacts (all currently with ".org.au" suffix); and (2) “Contact Us” system generated email to visitors initiated by clicking 3rd tab down on FTH website menu, ref charlestowntoastmasters.org.au ?
• our above emails ("standard" FTH admin records) may automatically update when we change the DNS record, with no further action required from us?

The email warning pertains only to a club using an email service they purchased along with their domain.

1st bullet point; 'does not apply' if you have not purchased @charlestowntoastmasters.org.au email service along with your domain.

2nd bullet point; 'stored emails' refers to emails in a client configured for aforementioned purchased outside email service, not the FTH email forwarding service.

3rd bullet point; Whether email is sent to vppr@charlestowntoastmasters.org.au or vppr@charlestowntoastmasters.au, FTH is forwarding it to your personal email so your domain swap has no effect. No action required beyond configuring your DNS and updating your FTH site admin console to the new domain.

Thanks Pam for setting up the alias.
May we request your assistance just a little more to clarify:

1. our Club may use both until your current domain expires in Feb 2026 - please confirm, this refers to using both   charlestown.toastmastersclubs.org/    and charlestowntoastmasters.org.au  ? (BTW, do I need "/" at end of this website?)
2. we are advised to: 
        a.  encourage members to use that (the alias)
        b.  change any flyers etc.
   Given we have the option to purchase a new domain - (say) charlestowntoastmasters.au - when current charlestowntoastmasters.org.au/  expires at beginning of 2026, could we just encourage members to use alias but not "change any flyers"?  We may be taking a small risk (ie, if the previous website warning relates to use of the ".org.au" site then presumably we should avoid using) however this may save ourselves effort given, (1) it would only be six months; and (2) there may possibly be only "minimal use" from a relatively small number of "non-member users" accessing via  charlestowntoastmasters.org.au/

Regards
Greg DeLore VPPR Charlestown (Club 6345) NSW Australia

6345.toastmastersclubs.org
This is your toastmastersclubs.org  url with your club number.  It can always be used (regardless of alias or custom domain).  It can't be changed

charlestown.toastmastersclubs.org
This is your toastmastersclubs.org  url with your club alias.  It can always be used (regardless of custom domain), as long as it exists as an entry on your website.  It can be changed. 

The "/" at the end of the url means that there are pages in your website that use the same url with a page name after the "/", e.g.  charlestown.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html   (that page ends on html as there are no further sub-"pages".  It doesn't matter whether or not you use it to access the website - it is automatically picked up if you copy/paste the url from the search box

Whether you change your flyers etc. or not is up to you - not worth it until you start using the new domain if you go down that route.  Be aware that the change from one custom domain to the other will be instant (if set up correctly)
My thought is why would you bother with purchasing "charlestowntoastmasters.au" when you can have "charlestown.toastmastersclubs.org" free and with no setup required (and you have the transition time).

That’s a great outcome for us. Thank you and the FTH Team for all your help!
Regards
Greg DeLore VPPR Charlestown (Club 6345) NSW Australia