Once your network members have joined Tyze and are ready to start supporting your network center, you will now begin the job of connecting the network. At the beginning it might help to think of the role of a host or hostess … welcoming people to the room, asking them questions, and encouraging conversation between members. Here are some ways that you might want to begin engaging network members:

• Ensure your own profile and picture are complete so you can share it as an example.

• Ask each network member to contribute a story to the Tyze network about how they met the person at the center of the network.

• Post your birthday, and maybe the person at the center of the network's birthday, into the Calendar, and suggest that all the other network members do the same.

• Particularly during the first few weeks, encourage conversation and pay attention to who comes on and who does not. Be supportive and, if required, spend time with anyone who is finding it difficult to use Tyze.

• Some Tyze network animators enjoy organizing a small ‘launch party’ for their new networks. Particularly if most of your members live in the same city, you can use this opportunity to design a creative invitation (see attached) and host a small pizza party or other gathering that you know the person at the centre of the network will enjoy.

• If you decide to host a party, make sure you bring your digital camera. You can take photos of any network members who haven’t yet posted a photo for their profile, and you can take photos of the event which you can add to the network afterwards as well.

• Offer to meet or speak with invited network members individually and take them for a tour of Tyze.

• Provide individual assistance to invited network members if they need help completing their profile, adding a photo or using any other features of Tyze.