/// <summary>
        /// returns a member object based off information input by the user. NOTE: if the information is incorrect, a null member object
        /// is returned
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns></returns>
        private Member GetMemberObjFromUI()
        {
            Member newMember = new Member();

            //code to find what the member number should be
            newMember.id = (MemberDB.GetHighestMemberID() + 1).ToString();

            newMember.joindate      = DateTime.Now.ToString();
            newMember.firstname     = txt_FirstName.Text.Trim();
            newMember.lastname      = txt_LastName.Text.Trim();
            newMember.address       = txt_Address.Text.Trim();
            newMember.city          = txt_City.Text.Trim();
            newMember.state         = msk_State.Text.Trim();
            newMember.zipcode       = msk_ZipCode.Text.Trim();
            newMember.phone         = msk_Phone.Text.Trim();
            newMember.member_status = "A";
            newMember.login_name    = txt_Login.Text.Trim();
            newMember.password      = txt_Password.Text.Trim();
            newMember.email         = txt_Email.Text.Trim();

            if (rad_Regular.Checked)
            {
                newMember.subscription_id = "0";
            }
            else if (rad_Premium.Checked)
            {
                newMember.subscription_id = "1";
            }
            else if (rad_Deluxe.Checked)
            {
                newMember.subscription_id = "2";
            }
            else
            {
                MessageBox.Show("No Subscription Type was checked. Make sure all information has been entered before performing an operation.");
                return(null);
            }

            newMember.admin = "false";

            return(newMember);
        }