NGO governance has recently gained significance in development literature as thernsector drew more attention for its increased engagement in development interventionsrnand service deliveries than ever before. This also draws many to learn about its modernof operation and governance. NGOs need to ensure governance practices thatrnfa ci litate their legitimacy to act on the very causes of their establishment. Boardrnmembers in this regard are at the center of representing their organizations andrnbecome the basis for legitimacy claims.rnEmploying a survey method, the Board effectiveness, board composition, boardrnmembers selection criteria, founders' syndrome and board accountability of selectedrnlocal NGOs from five major cities (Addis Ababa , Dire Dawa, Adama, Bahir Dar andrnAwasa) were studied. Stratified sampling was used and 103 respondents covering 33rnboard members, 18 CEOs and 52 staff provided the information used in this study.rnThese Board members, CEOs and staff of the selected local NGOs perceived weakrngovernance effectiveness in their respective organizations. Board composition inrnterms of gender representation far exceedingly favored men. In terms education,rnboards were found to be dominated by members relatively with higher educationalrnachievement. The inclination by local NGOs in Ethiopia is to neo-institutionalrnprescriptions, at the expense of some other feasib le criteria such as gender balancernand community worthiness. Accou ntability practices favored one of relationalrnaccountabilities wherein stakeholders (government and donors) with powers ofrndetermining the fate of NGOs. Practices rather failed to consider the other view ofrnrelational accountability where those stakeholders whose lives are either posi tively orrnnegatively affected by NGOs. Identity accountability, abiding by principles, values andrnethics, perceived to be neglected. Founders' syndrome was pervasive in the selectedrnlocal NGOs. Therefore, their governance practices need to be strengthened and theirrnboards should reinforce accountability to the communities they serve.