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As in any election in which the incumbent isn't running, it will be out with the old and in with the new when National Organization for Women members vote for a president this weekend in Indianapolis.

What adds a wrinkle to this election, however, is that the old — current President Kim Gandy — hails from Silver Spring, and one of the new — Terry O'Neill — works for a Montgomery County Council member.

The local flavor aside, O'Neill and the other candidate for president, Latifa Lyles, are advocating for many of the same things for NOW.

Both Lyles, a New York City native, and O'Neill emphasize the need for the nation's largest and best-known feminist organization to practice grass-roots organizing, re-energize members and evolve with the times.

The election outcome might very well come down to which change agent has the right methods to go along with the message.

Throughout the run leading to Indiana, the campaign has been classified as a juxtaposition of age and race.

Lyles, 33, is a black NOW officer, while Terry O'Neill, 56, is an activist who is white and is chief of staff to Montgomery County Council member Duchy Trachtenberg.

But Lyles' message highlights her experience and expertise in fundraising.

"We have decades more experience in management, political organizing and lobbying across the board," she said about her four-woman group of national officer candidates that is running as the "NOW is the Time" slate.

Lyles became the organization's youngest ever national officer when she was elected NOW's vice president of membership at age 29.

"[NOW] has been around a long time, and any older organization has to deal with an image perception," she said, noting that the organization has a reputation as a collection of older, middle-class white women.

"So in addition to getting back in people's lives and discussing real-life problems that directly impact them, we also have a backlash that other organizations don't have, and we have to control that backlash," she said.

To increase NOW's relevance, O'Neill's "Feminist Leadership NOW" slate is focused on making the group a grass-roots organization.

"We have to be out there in the community," said O'Neill, who would have to resign her position with Trachtenberg if successful in Indianapolis.

"We will be in the streets carrying signs, participating in civil disobedience, meeting in community centers. It's the community base there on the ground that is important. We have a lot of ground to make up."

And O'Neill is the right person for that job, said Trachtenberg (D-At large) of North Bethesda, a former president of Maryland's NOW chapter.

"There is an opportunity right now to reform the systems of support for women across the country," she said. "I can't think of anyone more committed to women's rights, and she has been for most of her life."

Both candidates' campaign hopes are buoyed by what they see as the significant potential to narrow disparity gaps in health care and wages under President Barack Obama.

In all, about 600 members are expected at the three-day NOW convention. Elections for the organization's new officers take place during a two-hour window Saturday night. Officers are elected to four-year terms.

"I think any organization that supports women's issues is vital right now," said Sue Kullen (D-Dist. 27B) of Port Republic, who heads the Women's Legislative Caucus in the Maryland General Assembly. "I think women are underrepresented right now in public discussion and public office."

To remain vital, "they have to be willing to reach across all lines," said Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Dist. 25) of Mitchellville. "If you're anywhere now in the country there is a diversity of power, and there are lots of women who have taken the challenge of becoming elected officials or being involved in politics at some level."

Both candidates see that involvement as an opportunity.

"We need to tap into the energy and outrage that is out there," O'Neill said. "We need to be providing an outlet for change, and we can do that."

The past election cycle proved that communication and old-fashioned consciousness-raising — two of Lyles' platforms — are effective.

"Folks were talking about why they were invested in the election, and we have to build on that," she said. "Part of it is changing the language, using technology and not being afraid to ask people to go into the streets."