President-elect Barack Obama is making public details and documents of official meetings between his transition team and outside organizations such as interest groups. The policy, outlined in a memo obtained by The Associated Press, goes into effect immediately.

It is retroactive to the Nov. 4 election and covers the transition period until Jan. 20 when Obama is sworn into office as the country's 44th president.

"Every day we meet with organizations who present ideas for the transition and the administration, both orally and in writing," transition chief John Podesta said in the memo to the transition staff. "We want to ensure we give the American people a 'seat at the table' and that we receive the benefit of their feedback."