Great point Steve! Ever try reading a book on how to play golf or tennis - You can study the mechanics of what makes a proper serve or particular golf shot, but when it comes to ACTUALLY doing it - well, that's something else again.
Personally, I belong to 2 clubs; one AKCA and one ZNA. If you are serious about the hobby and learning about what makes a particular fish better than the rest, then IMHO a ZNA club is the way to go. If you just want to gain additional knowledge or info and are happy with koi of average quality and you like plants in your pond, then maybe an AKCA club would be better suited to your tastes. But as was stated earlier, maybe trying the suit on before you buy it would be your best approach. Both organizations have a lot to offer.
Mike