These are very common for a lot of "Thought-leader" or influencer types. They are just social clubs/memberships. So a portion of the money goes to him, and the

These are very common for a lot of "Thought-leader" or influencer types. They are just social clubs/memberships. So a portion of the money goes to him, and the rest goes towards organizing these "special projects" (Socials/events) for the people who are paying to be members. They are a new sort of country club, for example. Like most social clubs in the past, the price of membership acts to gatekeep against "casuals", and creates a sort of commitment ("I pay this much, so I might as well use it"). For the latter point, like gym memberships, the model probably relies on 100% of the people rarely if ever showing up or taking part. In that way the attendees are treated to an event or occasion that is worth more than the sum of the contribution of the attendants, in principle.