Can someone explain how raise/lower the top?

Picked up an 06 from my mother last night and she could get the top to go down. We latched the board thing in the trunk, undid the D ring inside but nothing happens when the button is pushed.

Any ideas. I only drove the car home last night. My wife took the car to work and wonders how to get the top down.

thanks for any help. I image we are just doing something wrong.