the CoW has decided it's improper to confer degrees at a stated meeting. Should always be at a called meeting. I'm still not surewhat I make of that.
That's the first I've heard of that. While I understand the rationale behind their statement and somewhat agree with it (that degree conferrals should be special occasions, especially for the candidate, and deserve to stand alone), they'll need to present their decision to the Grand West & gain approval for the change to GL Law, which states:
Art. 234. Stated Meetings: Business Required At.
The following matters shall be attended to
only at Stated Meetings:
Receiving and balloting upon petitions for degrees, advancement and affiliation; receiving and voting on applications for demits, certificates of good standing; removal of Lodge to another location; receiving charges and complaints of Masonic disciplinary violations; election of Officers, surrender of charters; presentation of proposed by-laws and all amendments thereof (except as authorized in Subdivision 4 of Art. 216); reinstatement of membership and restoration of Masonic rights; granting of life memberships; consolidation of Lodges; and approval of accounts and other fiscal transactions, unless dispensation to the contrary is granted; and all other matters required elsewhere in these Laws to be transacted at Stated Meetings.... (emphasis above mine).
Art. 235. (273). Called Meetings: Business Permitted.
Called Meetings may be ordered by the Master of the Lodge, or by the Senior Warden in his absence, or by the Junior Warden in the absence of both, at any time not prohibited by law for anyone or more of the following purposes: to receive the Grand Master or his Representative or other distinguished Mason; to confer degrees on candidates previously elected; to examine and vote on the proficiency of candidates; to install officers; to conduct funerals, to receive and vote on adoption of by-laws under Subdivision 4 of Art. 216; to adopt by-laws and amendments thereto when duly called for that purpose after reasonable notice given; to transact any other business not required by law to be acted on at a Stated Meeting....
As you can see above, the current Law allows degrees to be conferred at either stated or called meetings.